The tasting notes of this barrel from SMWS are as follows: "Clearly refused to obey orders, as this dram would be more at home in Campbeltown than in the Speyside region - the beauty of single casks." While I can't agree that I get the Campbeltown profile, I can say that this Glenlossie went so far off-profile that the Caribbean is in sight! This Speyside dram drips with a smoky/salty piƱa colada on the nose, with toasted coconut shining through on the palate with a firm reminder that this was aged in a first-fill ex-bourbon barrel through the finish. Just a wonderful pour that has you refilling your glass far faster than expected!

0.3 (Pale gold)

Nose

Rye spice, freshly cracked coconut, a piña colada on the beach right after some salt water splashed into the drink

Palate

Charred vanilla, toasted coconut, oily mouthfeel, bourbon barrel char, saltwater

Finish

Barrel influence shines through with spicy charred wood and bitter oak, very light ethanol burn with very little linger

While I can't agree that this dram reminds me of Campbeltown offerings, I would definitely agree that this is far off profile and reminds me more of something that was finished in a rum cask for a year or two before bottling. I think the only thing that is holding this back from reaching that "Great" tier is the finish as it was a little quick. If that finish were to hang on a little longer I'm certain I would have been thinking of this dram the next day and that Great score would be warranted.

Score

78 / 100
0-50 Subpar 51-60 Drinkable 61-70 Decent 71-80 Good 81-90 Great 91-100 Fantastic

105

Loading related reviews...