Glenturret 12 Year Old SMWS A Tour Of The Mad Hatter's Hipflask 16.101 57.1%

Nose: The neat nose presented a medley of the elegant and the potent. Chamomile tea vied for supremacy with bacon jam and flaming hay bales – quite the aromatic spectacle, we thought. We also got wetsuits, bonfire ashes, vintage car engines and lemon yoghurt. With water it revealed roast beef, toasted almonds, freshly surfaced roads and pork scratchings. 

Palate: The palate was full of sweet peat smoke, brisket burnt ends, coal scuttle vibes and pickled brambles. Reduction enhanced the texture and elevated the spicier notes. We found tabasco pepper sauce, petrol, strong menthol lozenges, molten roof pitch and iodine-soaked hessian. We agreed it was a doolally whisky! At the time of tasting, this whisky was a whopping 66.1% ABV. We brought it down to 57.1% (100 British proof) for greater balance, while ensuring that we retained the wonderful high impact flavours. This was matured in an American oak ex-oloroso butt for eight years before being transferred to a second fill Spanish oak ex-oloroso butt.

Glenturret distillery in the Southern Highlands whisky region is located in the town of Crieff, Perthshire. The owners are Lalique Group/Hansjorg Wyss who acquired the distillery quite recently in 2019. The new owners have prioritised making Glenturret Highland single malt a brand in its own right and all reference to the previous 'The Famous Grouse Experience' has been left behind.

In 2020 a whole new range was launched. This range is made up of the Triple Wood, 10 Year Old Peat Smoked, 12 Year Old, 15 Year Old, 25 Year Old and 30 Year Old. A new limited bottling’s range was also launched under the name ‘The Trinity’. The on site restaurant was awarded a Michelin Star in 2022. This is the first time a distillery in Scotland has been awarded such an accolade. Glenturret is now a great destination for tourists as well as whisky enthusiasts.

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