Glen Elgin 25yo 1984/2010 (46.5%, Dewar Rattray for Co-op Calgary, Hogshead, C#2858, 243 bts., D’01/11/81 B’ 07/06/2010)

Another single cask offering from A. Dewar Rattray, the independent bottlers and this time another bottling for the Co-op Wines & Spirits in Calgary, Alberta. Remember the excellent 42yo Tamdhu bottled for them? No? Check out http://tinyurl.com/Co-op-Tamdhu42yo

The nose (undiluted) is initially a little closed but what does emerge is some fine malt and very light sweetness with hints of clotted cream and tablet. With more time in the glass it opens to reveal more of the malt (dusty now, like sticking your head into a malting floor after it’s just been swept up). There is also some faint pleasant aromas of heather and leather. The nose diluted falls way a little so don’t add any water, it’s just a smidge over 46% in any case. The taste is extremely nice, beautiful intermingling of the sweetness from the tablet, some vibrancy and the heather all backed by the cocoa  wood notes. Gentle, pleasing and warming. With water there is much more honey, some Honey dew melon and some of the heather. Don’t add too much.  The finish is malty, pear, apple and then after a short while some really good cocoa dryness takes over and then fades away. It’s quite long but not overly assertive or aggressive; just right.

What a great dram! Well done, another great selection.

$ un determined at this point (many thanks to Jonathan Bray of Purple Valley Imports for the sample).

Score 88 points

Visit A. Dewar Rattray at www.dewarrattray.com