The Glenturret 2023 Core Collection Release
One of the best things about being a Scotch lover, is the fact that each new release and each new expression gives you something different and slightly more unique to the last. Whether it’s stronger earthy tones from the peat, a subtle oak woodsmoke, more fruit notes, or even a longer finish, you never know exactly what you’re going to be getting from one bottle to the next.
One constant in the whisky business however, and one which will not change anytime soon, is the fact that The Glenturret will continue to make truly exceptional whiskies. If you’re a Glenturret fan, 2023 looks to be a truly outstanding year for you, thanks to their highly anticipated ‘Core Collection Release’.
Made up of 8 signature whiskies, expertly crafted by master blender Bob Dalgarno, the Core Release aims to showcase the unique, fruity, quirky style of the distillery. The whiskies in this collection have everything you could ever want from a Scotch. You get peat, you get fruit, you get smoke, you get spices, and you get different wood characteristics from different wood casks, and you get hidden depths and layers.
For the purpose of today’s piece, we’re going to focus primarily on five of the eight releases in their Core Collection Range, and look at just what it is that makes these wee drams so great.
Nestled in the heart of the stunning Perthshire countryside, the Glenturret distillery is the oldest working distillery in all of Scotland.
Situated on the banks of the majestic Turret River, this distillery is one of the most secluded in all of Scotland. In fact, many believe that its secluded location helped ensure that it remained a prominent fixture when illicit whisky distillation was rife.
Hidden in the glen, there are high hills located either side of the distillery that served as fantastic lookout points for smugglers, who could spot the dreaded excisemen coming from miles off.
The distillery utilises the plethora of Scotland’s natural resources, creating some truly magical whiskies that have been crafted here for generations upon generations.
With tours, tastings, a stunning gift shop, and some of the best whiskies you’ll ever taste, it’s easy to see why The Glenturret Distillery is one of Scotland’s most popular distilleries, not to mention the oldest.
The Glenturret 2023 Core Collection
Made up of 8 signature whiskies, the Core Collection from Glenturret may very well be their most ambitious collection yet, comprising of:
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- The award-winning Triple Wood
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- 7 Years Old Peat Smoked
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- 10 Years Old Peat Smoked
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- 12 Years Old
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- 15 Years Old
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- 25 Years Old
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- 30 Years Old
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- 35 Years Old
This is a collection you won’t want to miss. For the very first time, they have added a 35 Year Old whisky to the collection, and boy, what a collection it is.
While the Triple Wood, 7 Years Old, and 10 Years Old are all incredibly popular tipples, for the purpose of today’s review we’re going to focus on the older expressions, and will be looking at the 12, 15, 25, 30, and the 35 Year Old.
The first whisky of this amazing collection that we are going to be reviewing today is this stunning 12 year old single malt.
With less than 60 casks being utilised to create this whisky, you know you’ve got something very rare, and very special on your hands.
A 46.4% ABV, this is not quite as potent as some Scotch whiskies out there, but it still has one heck of a kick.
Forming the heart, or the “Core” of their range, the influence from the American Oak casks really shines through and gives this whisky that unmistakable salted caramel profile. That’s just one element however, as the European Oak then takes command and offers new layers. Now, salted caramel notes are complimented with the rich and fruity notes you’d expect from a European oak cask.
This is not as dark in colour as some of the other whiskies in this range, but the light auburn colour looks absolutely stunning in the bottle, and in your glass.
On the nose you will immediately pick up notes of spiced pears, vanilla, cinnamon, and sea salt.
On the palate, your first sip will reward you with salted caramel notes complimented by raisins, sultanas, candied ginger, and more vanilla with a whisper of smokiness.
The finish is long and drawn out, leaving you with nutmeg, summer berries, and mature toasted oak.
Up next we have The Glenturret 15 Years Old whisky, and what a whisky it is.
This is one of the most unique whiskies found in this particular range. It has been meticulously aged and blended with great care and passion, and this shines through from the moment you take your first whiff, to the second you feel it sliding down your throat.
If you’re a fan of your Scotch and you like your whiskies to really give you that trademark burn that we all know and love, at 50.8% ABV, this is the whisky for you.
With a rich, golden amber colour, this whisky almost looks too good to drink, but drink it you must, because the combination of sweet, sugary fruits, charred oak, and peaty smoke is like nothing you’ve ever tasted before.
On the nose you’ll smell warm apple crumble with extra cinnamon, accompanied by sticky fruits. Sniff again and you should pick up a hint of bonfire.
On the palate you’ll get sticky toffee pudding with vanilla custard right from the off. Another sip will bring out mixed berries and fruit syrup, topped off with Bramley apple sauce and winter spices.
The finish is medium and should leave you with aged oak, mixed fruits, and a touch of wood smoke and leather.
Having first launched in 2020, this next whisky has become a collector’s item over the last couple of years, and we totally get why.
Glenturret created this expression from six casks which were stored in their Dunnage warehouses for more than a quarter of a century. During this time the influence from the casks really shone through and helped make these whiskies what they are.
The European oak casks for example, imparted the oak notes that work so well in Scotch, as well as fruity notes. The American oak then added extra sweet notes, with caramel, vanilla, and maple syrup in particular, all shining through. To balance everything out, sharp citrus notes are imparted thanks to the refill casks.
This gorgeous amber nectar is less harsh than some single malts out there, coming in at a throat-warming 42.6% ABV. With only 210 bottles available globally, once they’re gone, they’re gone.
Enough about that, let’s get to the tasting notes. On the nose you should immediately pick up cinnamon, ginger vanilla, apple, and caramelised sugar. Smell again and you’ll detect subtle notes of oak smoke and crème caramel.
On the palate you should taste raisins, sticky dates, sweet citrus, boiled sweets, and aged oak. In the background you should taste blackberry and raspberry jam.
The finish is velvet smooth, leaving you with toffee fudge and warming wood spices with a murmur of oak.
Limited to just 500 bottles, this is another very rare, and hugely popular release from Glenturret.
Created from a unique combination of flavours, aromas, and profiles obtained from 5 older casks, if you like your Scotch complex and sophisticated, you’re going to adore this release.
You get the traditional fruit notes and aged oak from the European casks, along with the sweetness from American casks. Add in a port pipe to impart a ruby red hue, berry notes, and a touch of brandy, and you can see why this is a winner. Add in the tropical notes from the two American oak hogsheads and you have a really special impression on your hands.
At 42.7% ABV, this autumn orange coloured tipple is another whisky that is far too easy to sip, so be warned, it goes down an absolute treat.
On the nose you will smell strong notes of strawberry, pineapple, banana and ripe prunes.
On the palate, strong flavours of brandy snaps, figs, ripe bananas, cinnamon, and ginger beer all shine through. Sip again and you’ll pick up the oak notes and flavours of an Eton mess dessert.
The smooth finish leaves you with clotted vanilla ice cream, summer berries, and a subtle oak profile.
Finally, perhaps most exciting of all, we have the first 35 Years Old expression joining the range, and what a speciality it is.
Limited to just 185 bottles worldwide, this whisky is derived from just one individual European oak Sherry butt that was selected for its unique and multi-layered personality. This butt gives the whisky the usual fruity, spicy, oaky notes you’d expect, but it also gives it so much more.
Glenturret selected this cask because it offered notes you’d typically expect from an American ex-bourbon cask. Here you also get tropical fruit notes, caramel and toffee, and plenty of vanilla with a touch of charred oak.
Matured for three and a half decades, this whisky is as refined as it is delicious. Just one look at the stunning amber brown liquid will have you salivating, and at 42.8% the burn isn’t too overpowering either.
On the nose, as soon as you catch a whiff of this stunning tipple, you should detect tropical fruits, gooey marshmallow, vanilla, custard cream biscuits, and warm spices with mumblings of oak smoke.
Take your first sip, and your palate will be rewarded with cinnamon, citrus fruits, toasted oak, ripe sultanas, and sticky hedgerow fruits.
The finish lingers and provides fortunate drinkers with toasted wood spices, sweet vanilla custard, a touch of oak, and demerara sugar. This one goes down incredibly well from start to finish.
If you’re looking for more info on your favourite Scotch whisky, or any other kind of whiskey/whisky for that matter, you should find everything you need here at GreatDrams.com and a whole lot more besides.
With all the latest whiskey/whisky news, virtual tastings, and a vast selection of all kinds of whisky to suit all budgets and palates, it’s easy to see why our customers continue to return over and over. Whatever you need, if it’s to do with whisky/whiskey, we can help.
Greg
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