The Cooper's Choice Glen Esk 1984 Aged 31 Years Limburg Whisky Fair 2016

Style: Delicate and Fruity

Rating: ☆☆- [Highly Recommended]

Nose:

Fresh apricots lightly brushed with vanilla icing, very appetising. Granny Smith green apples. Pear drops in a very pure form, mixing a dash of pineapple juice and orange cordial. Winter green herbs overtone slowly emerges from the pleasant sweetness. Tropical fruits slowly unfolds over time, then a delicate malty tail tagged at the back. Very nice.

Palate:

Similar to the nose, except that the elements are rolled together like a ice-cream scoop running through each flavour and mixing a "whisky ball" that reduces distance between layers but also making the spirit less structural. There is higher malt content here, slightly drier as well. The apricots and pear drops are shining beautifully throughout. More green apples, mini peat smoke and peppermint spikes, followed by coconut ice-cream. Tannins and white pepper oak seeping in at the end.

Finish:

Quite dry, a mix of oak, malt and dried apricots blinking very softly.

Thoughts:

My first Glen Esk review, a little-known distillery which was demolished in 1985 while the malting operation continues till today. Now, I am not sure about how Glen Esk generally fares, but I quite like the balance and transition of this particular expression - sweet to dry, pleasant but also presented sufficient technical nuances at the same time. A nice, subtle dram.

[49.5% | Independent Bottling | Single Cask | 1984 Distilled | 2016 Bottled | Cask Number: 4677 | 240 Bottles | Bourbon Cask | **-]

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