Heatwave mode is on (record-breaking temperatures up to 38°C in Belgium this week). We may have to focus on singular reviews for a while, just to keep things going.
Behold the oldest whisky ever bottled from Glen Garioch distillery. It is the 33rd chapter in the Whiskyland series from Decadent Drinks. It represents a lost style of production: peat, floor-malted barley, directly gas-fired stills and worm tub condensers. And last but not least: an ancient sherry cask unlike those of today.
Glen Garioch 52 yo 1973 (53,2%, Decadent Drinks ‘Whiskyland’ 2026, first-fill sherry butt, 240 btl.)
Nose: pretty incredible. It’s got truckloads of furniture polish, with this oriental hint of rosewood and incense. Then lots of herbal potions, a spoonful of Chartreuse and medicinal camphor notes, with overripe tropical fruits underneath. Mango and pineapple with crushed mint, coming close to old Jamaican rum at times. In the background there is a light smoky note, pipe tobacco, walnut liqueur, dark pu-erh and dusty cocoa nibs.
Mouth: more walnuts, pipe tobacco and heavy liquorice. Pu-erh and hints of potting soil. Also peppered cherries, fig syrup and hints of blueberries. Then it shows its umami side, with some lovage and herbs, and maybe a hint of dried meat. Most of the heavy peat is gone, but there’s definitely an undercurrent of natural tar and charcoal. Lots of old armagnacs, a little cassis tea and prunes. Dark chocolate cake, citrus oil, dark spice and old leather as well. Some drops of herbal extracts but it’s remarkable this isn’t overdue in any way.
Finish: very long, dark and earthy, still on this mix of blueberries, black tea, malty sweetness and earth.
Right, this Glen Garioch isn’t cheap of course, but it’s simply hard to think of other whiskies that come close to it. It’s a time capsule, which perfectly fits Angus’ idea of the Whiskyland range. One of the highlights of 2026, mind my words. Available from 29th of June from Decadent Drinks and partner retailers.