Words by Colin Hampden-White
There is now a crystal clear direction for one of the oldest distilleries in Scotland. Founded in 1763, Glenturret has had many owners, and in recent times was owned by the Edrington Group of Macallan fame. With the Macallan leading the way for Edrington and Highland Park also a favoured brand, one sometimes felt Glenturret was a little left behind. In 2018 the distillery came on the market and was bought by the Lalique Group with another independent shareholder.
It has taken a couple of years to perfect, but the resulting first-rate rebranding of Glenturret is complete with new style liquids to match. The new bottles and labels are very smart and clearly aimed at the premium and even super-premium markets. Fortunately for Glenturret, the liquid in the bottles lives up to the challenge set down by the chic packaging containing it.
Read on to find out more about the range:
Triple Wood
The range starts with a non-age statement: Triple Wood. It is a well-balanced, fruity whisky with a mix of casks used for maturation. Ex-bourbon and ex American sherry casks are used, which is quite normal, alongside European ex-sherry casks. This gives a great mix of vanilla and spice and has both sweetness and dry oaky notes in equal measure. At £49.95 it throws the gauntlet down to the premium market, and I’m sure the market will love it.
ABV: 43%
Size: 700ml
Buy here: £51.49
The Glenturret 10 Year Old
On to the age statements and we start with a 10 year old. With a peating level not quite as high as Islay expressions, but high enough for peat lovers, this dram is smoky and fruity, with touches of vanilla in the background. What makes this whisky intense and allows the transfer of flavour seamlessly is the higher than usual ABV of 50%. For a whisky towards the bottom of the range this is a great choice and continues to show the strong direction the brand has decided to travel.
ABV: 50%
Size: 700ml
Buy here: £50.95
The Glenturret 12 Year Old
From the 10 we move to a 12 year old. This is more of a traditionalist’s whisky. A classic blend of ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks it is harmonious and gives lots of complexity. At 46% the flavour still has intensity but allows the complexity to shine. With lots of Christmas cake and buttery flavours mixing with fresh orchard fruits and ginger spice, this is sure to please.
ABV: 46%
Size: 700ml
Buy here: £75
The Glenturret 15 Year Old
After the 12 we come to a 15 year old. This takes off from where the 12 left us and turns it up a notch. With toffee apple and spicy flavours, and intense lemon on the edge of the palate, it has lots of flavour all delivered with a near cask strength ABV of 55%. A dram for those who like a little power and age.
ABV: 55%
Size: 700ml
Buy here: £120
The Glenturret 25 Year Old
Unusually there is no 18 year old, or even 21 year old. We jump straight to a 25 year old. With only 204 bottles produced, this is something special. It is very complex with aromas of soft oak and vanilla joined on the palate by sponge, Tarte Tartin and soft spices of cinnamon and touches of nutmeg. At 44.5% there is enough power to deliver the flavours, but it is gentle enough to let all of them shine. We’re moving into pricier territory here at nearly £1,000 RRP.
The Glenturret 30 Year Old
We finally come to the 30 year old. A grand old whisky that quite rightly tops the range. With tropical fruits, vanilla and more orchard fruits, and pears becoming distinctive, there is lots of fruit in this old whisky. There are also toasty oaky notes to balance the fruit and round off the dram. Oonly 750 bottles have been produced and priced at £1,600, this clearly opens the super-premium door, and runs through it with confidence.
ABV: 45.7%
Size: 700ml
Buy here: £1,600
Overall, the range of these expressions looks to offer something to all levels of whisky drinkers. There is a non-age statement, a smoky whisky, a traditionally-styled 12 year old and a near cask strength 15. It would be nice to see an 18 or 21, but the 25 year old certainly makes up for it. Between the 25 and the 30 year olds, there’s really something special. With the gaps in age statement, one feels there is more to come from Glenturret, and if they are anywhere near as good as the first offerings out of the stable, then there are exciting times ahead.
If premium whisky is your thing, then we have more whisky to salivate over. Tamdhu is also challenging the order of things and you can read about it here.