Glen Garioch officially abandoned its floor maltings in 1995, when the distillery was mothballed for two years. When it reopened in 1997, it switched to using unpeated malt sourced from commercial maltings, marking a significant shift from the lightly peated, "old school" character produced by their own floors. This 1998 bottling is particularly fascinating because it represents the very first full year of production using the "new" unpeated spirit style, but still distilled on the same direct-fired stills (which weren't converted to steam until 2013).
This bottling is a remarkable 27-year-old single malt from a 1st-fill Fino Sherry Butt, offering a rare and sophisticated departure from the typical heavy Oloroso influence. Bottled at 49.3%, this expression captures a beautiful interplay of time and oak, revealing a vibrant, mineral-forward character that pays homage to the distillery's late-90s production.
The nose is elegantly layered with butter madeleines, mineral-rich Chenin Blanc, and lemon zest, evolving into enriched pastry and cinder toffee. On the palate, it begins with a flinty, zesty intensity followed by buttered sourdough, green apples, and a savory touch of sage butter. The finish is exceptionally bright, showcasing citrus oils, coconut macaroons, and the refined bitterness of toasted almonds.
