Glenturret 8yo (40%, OB, +/- 2009)

A minor expansion of the Glenturret recent official bottlings (the others being the 10yo 40% and the 14yo cask strength 59.7% at £87.50!). The nose is fruity, malt and gently honeyed with some mildly aggressive pungent notes in the back ground (think of grape fruit & leather). Black pepper. There are also some hints of varnish, heather and lightly burnt cake. Moments that are good and moments that are challenging. The taste is surprisingly assertive at first, the grape fruit & leather quickly followed by the heather, honey, malt and the oaky notes. Uncomplicated but good which is a bit of a relief after the close call on the nose. The finish is malty and honeyed with some of the black pepper smacking the taste buds around. A bit of a rough edge which is good, you know you’ve had a dram. The finish is quite pleasant with none of the challenging moments in the nose.

Improves from start to finish; the taste and finish are good.

£27.50 at Loch Fyne Whiskies

Score 80 points