The Whisky Fair in Germany (a few weeks ago) is traditionally the moment when The Whisky Agency presents its major outturn. Follow them on Instagram for the latest info.
This year we’re getting seven releases in a series named Fade away (on the labels there are people that seem to merge with the background). There are also two releases that have an Underwater theme.
Today we’re looking at some of the older whiskies, from Auchentoshan, Glen Grant and Glenkinchie distilleries. Especially this last one is a name you rarely see from independent bottlers.
Auchentoshan 25 yo 1999 (52,1%, The Whisky Agency 2024, barrel, 149 btl.)
Nose: abundant green fruits and citrus zests. Lemon and lime peelings, citrus air freshener and fresh linens. Then cider apples, subtle hints of wildflowers and lots of crushed mint leaves, maybe even a little eucalyptus oil. Nicely aromatic.
Mouth: clean and zesty again. Plenty of lemon peels, with grapefruit juice, along with hints of grass and white pepper. A bright sourness with a greener, lightly bitter edge. Then hints of green malt, light resinous touches and crystallized citrus fruits. The saltiness is quite remarkable and strengthens the chisseled profile. Just a light hint of (berry) candy towards the end.
Finish: quite long, still very citric and saline. On the greener side of the fruit spectrum.
A very nice Auchentoshan. It does have the typical Lowlands citrus, including the thin texture and the fairly low complexity. Not my favourite style, but all good.
Glen Grant 26 yo 1998 (53,5%, The Whisky Agency 2024, hogshead, 150 btl.)
Nose: certainly fuller. Ripe pears, golden apple, greengages and carambola, as well as some lemon / lime candy and hints of barley syrup. Then a light chalky touch, as well as some pine forest notes. Light vanilla in the background, along with hints of sourdough bread.
Mouth: a rather perfect example of what a bourbon cask can do. Really vibrant, with yellow fruits, pears, peaches and lemon zest. A little grapefruit and green rhubarb. Then getting a little more chalky again, with a hint of fresh malt and dough after a while. Hints of chamomile too.
Finish: long, clean, with a hint of beeswax coming out, alongside citrus fruits and just a wee hint of cocoa.
A very precise Glen Grant, so not immensely complex, but still a tad wider than the Auchentoshan for instance. One that is all about tension again – a very natural textbook whisky. Score: 90/100
Glenkinchie 16 yo 2008 (51,9%, The Whisky Agency 2025, ex-sherry hogshead, 300 btl.)
Nose: really nice. Hints of old exotic wood, as well as tobacco leaves and some cigar boxes. A very pleasant (European oak?) woodiness, along with oily notes. Then some syrupy fruits emerge, like raspberry and prune jam, along with cassis. There’s also a rummy note
Mouth: still a prominent woody note, reminding me of some American whiskies. Then also coffee, cinnamon, clove oil, and hints of caramelized nuts. Some round fruitiness and sourish berries in the background, but the fruit has a hard time standing out. Allspice as well.
Finish: quite long, still wood-driven, with oriental spice and a bit of caramel in the distance.
This Glenkinchie displays a very attractive oakiness, in my opinion, but this tends to wipe out the delicate profile of the Lowlands. The sherry is balanced though. Overall not a very common profile for this distillery, but an interesting bottling. Score: 87/100