A change of pace-HIghland versus Lowland

[Quaich1]

I decided to do something a little different this afternoon, a head-to-head between the Highland expression, Glen Garioch Founder's Reserve 1797 and the Auchentoshan 12 Year, triple distilled.

Glen Garioch F.R.-

Neat

Nose: Orange peel and orange marmelade leap from this dram, stewed apricots, hint of papaya, strong whiffs of coffee crisp chocolate bars, chunky hot chocolate foam, chocolate buds (candy) and aromatic pipe tobacco.

Palate: Fruity, spice, dark chocolate and stewed dark fruit rises to the fore.

Finish: Long, bold black coffee, Aero chocolate bars and toffee.

Auchentoshan 12

Neat-

Nose: Pre-ripened bananas, sweet barley, bulrushes, melon notes, orange lollipop, cantaloup, summer meadow, toffee in the background, subtle spices and some caramels.

Palate: Syrupy, spicy then sweet then spicy again, oakiness bursts forth with dark toffee.

Finish: Long, dark chocolate and perseverating oakiness.

Comments

The nose on the Glen Garioch today was spectacular while the nose of the Auch. 12 was a more subtle aromatic melange compared to the former. The extra %abv in the Glen Garioch I think made all the difference. I would also mention that I did eat out today and had some spicy foods which could have affected my palate. After all, whisky tasting even of the same dram on different occasions can yield different taste profiles based on the "state of the palate". In any event, I preferred the Glen Garioch F.R. today by far. They are family members in one way since Morrison Bowmore promotes both.
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"Always carry a large flagon of whisky in case of snakebite and furthermore always carry a small snake."
W.C. Fields (1880-1946)