Glengoyne 1973 (Malts of Scotland)

Another independent 1970’s Glengoyne…  we’re not complaining! This bourbon barrel was bottled by Malts of Scotland and will only be available in Belgium (it has been selected by Luc Timmermans). Every bottle will be accompanied by a free miniature, nice!

The colour is slightly darker than the Glengoyne 1972 by The Nectar of the Daily Drams. Let’s put them side by side.

 

Glengoyne 1973 50.4% MoS Glengoyne 37yo 1973 (50,4%, Malts of Scotland 2010, cask #678, 97 btl.)

Nose: I sometimes make a dessert with mango, passion fruit, cape gooseberries and banana, marinated overnight in a syrup with vanilla, red peppers and star anise. Malts of Scotland has stolen my recipe! It seems warmer, sweeter and slightly more punchy than the Daily Dram version. I find less tangerine and papaya but more vanilla. Honeysuckle and tinned pineapple. Liquid candy really and hardly any trace of wood (except for the spices). When compared directly, the Daily Dram fruits seem greener. I prefer the candied MoS version but that’s a personal choice of course.

Mouth: starts with a big oaky kick, quite resinous and slightly bittersweet. Fortunately the fruit basket bursts open as soon as you swallow. Overall less spicy than the DD. Hints of ginger and coconut.

Finish: long and spicy, returning to sweet vanilla.

Another great 1970’s Glengoyne, full of fruits and utterly tropical. I preferred the Daily Dram over the previous cask by Malts of Scotland (#677), but this one overtakes them both, if only by a small margin. They’re both rather excellent so I’m not sure a 20% higher price is justified: around € 180.

Score: 92/100