Glenugie 30 years 1980 - 2011 Deoch an Doras

Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Glenugie 30 years 1980 - 2011 Deoch an Doras
  • Glenugie 30 years 1980 - 2011 Deoch an Doras
  • Glenugie 30 years 1980 - 2011 Deoch an Doras

Glenugie 30 years 1980 - 2011 Deoch an Doras

Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky

BottlerDistillery bottling
Distillery / brandGlenugie
RangeChivas Brothers - Cask Strength Edition
CountryScotland
RegionHighlands
Content Size0.7 liter
Alc/vol52.13%
Age30 years
Distilled1980
Bottled2011
Flavour ProfilesMature and complex
Out of stock

Tasting notes by Serge Valentin 87/100 (WhiskyFun.com) 

These ultra rare bottlings – there was also a 1977 - have gone almost unnoticed when they came out three years ago, at WF Towers included. Boooh! Come on, it was an official Glenugie, so the equivalent of a Brora or Port Ellen Special Release by Diageo! Let’s see what gives…

Colour: amber.

Nose: sadly, I don’t seem to find Glenugie’s proverbial intense fruitiness, rather a combination of oak spices with toasted brioche, and bark and walnut. Some beeswax too, a little wood smoke, a touch of mocha and a little damp earth/old musty cellar. Some rubbed mint leaves as well, and perhaps a drop of pinesap. Hasn’t the cask been a little too active? With water: oh, mandarins come out, together with some sweet ham. Ribs cooked in honey sauce or something.

Mouth (neat): ah this has more Glenugieness, should such a thing have ever existed. Grapefruit compote or something like that, spicy mango chutney, touches of passion fruits… We’re nowhere near the legendary Sestantes, but we’re above other indie bottlings of late 1970s vintages in my opinion. The oak’s a tad too loud, though, and there’s quite a lot of pepper. With water: very good, jammy and citrusy. Some thick citrus liqueur with peppermint and pepper.

Finish: long, rich, jammy and citrusy. Spiced citrons, perhaps.

Comments: I think it’s natural that we would prefer ‘naked’ long gone malts, to stay close to the original spirits, but this works well. The cask(s) had just been a little too active – in my opinion.

Glenugie 30 years 1980 - 2011 Deoch an Doras

Glenugie 30 years 1980 - 2011 Deoch an Doras