Cadenheads Glen Garioch 10yo & Cadenheads Enigma Speyside 16yo

Cadenheads Glen Garioch 10yo

Region: Highlands

ABV: 46.0%

Price: £50.00

There's not much information about this 10yo year old, except that it was matured in oloroso casks. There's no mention of how many bottles were made available.

Nose

On first impression, the nose offers notes of brown sugar, Luxardo Maraschino Liqueur, Plasticine, aniseed, sultanas, treacle, and golden syrup. A little air introduces notes of plums, figs, and a light pepper spice from the alcohol. The nose is quite appealing, though it does feel like we’re nosing a glass of sherry.

Palate

A drier style of sherry than we were expecting, featuring notes of orange peel, sour fruit chews, bitter coffee, and brown sugar. A subtle floral quality lingers in the background, accompanied by a hint of synthetic sweetness that we associate with the Glen Garioch spirit's character. The mouthfeel surpasses our expectations given ABV. The finish is a good length, dominated by the drier sherry notes.

Nose (with water)

Adding water has unveiled a mustiness and a savouriness reminiscent of pistachios. Although most of the original notes remain, they’ve become more challenging to pick out.

Palate (with water)

The whisky has become less dry and sour, with a strong note of orange juice. It's slightly sweeter, with some red fruits starting to emerge. The finish continues to be of good length, with more sweetness lingering. The mouthfeel remains good.

Conclusion

One where we enjoyed the undiluted nose, but prefer to drink with a few drops of water in it. We would have preferred to have gotten more distillery character in this, but still appreciate that it’s a good dram.

Score: 7/10

Value

Good value but we’d have happily pay a few pounds more to get this at cask strength instead.

Cadenheads Enigma Speyside 16yo

Region: Speyside

ABV: 53.8%

Price: £80.00

Like the Glen Garioch there’s not much information about this release, except that it was matured in manzanilla casks. Again, there's no mention of how many bottles were made available.

Nose

Initially, the nose appears quite restrained, but as it opens up, notes of butter, honeycomb, and red fruits begin to emerge. Additional aromas of impulse vanilla spray, wood chips, and possibly the faintest hint of sulphur come through, complemented by lemon juice, tobacco, and peppercorns. This noses less than its ABV.

Palate

The palate reveals flavours of red cola, caramel, tobacco, Tizer, liquorice, menthol, and gingerbread loaf. For its ABV, it feels a bit hot, with that spice persisting throughout the good length finish, complemented by the sweeter notes. The mouthfeel is pleasing, and we have hope that with a little water this might achieve a better balance.

Nose (with water)

Reduced we’re now getting gingerbread, sherry vinegar, and the red cola from the palate appearing on the nose. There’s cardamom now and something almost a touch antiseptic. Most of the pre dilution notes remain and this has opened up nicely.

Palate (with water)

Adding water has introduced a bit more spice to the finish, which now lingers beyond the other flavours. The mouthfeel is consistent with its pre-dilution state. The most notable flavour’s now include toffee, Fisherman's Friend cough sweets, and cardamom.

Conclusion

Good sherried whisky that’s a touch hot and maybe just a little one dimensional. Not as much of “sherry bomb” as the Garioch, but good nonetheless.

Score: 7/10

Value

Paying £80 for a 16-year-old cask strength release represents quite good value in the current market.

• 10 - Perfection. One in a million
• 9 - Outstanding. Exceptional whisky.
• 8 - Great. Would seek this out.
• 7 - Good. Quality whisky.
• 6 - Above average. Happy to have a dram.
• 5 - Average. Drinkable whisky.
• 4 - Below average. Passable.
• 3 - Flawed. Noticeable negatives.
• 2 - Defective. Significant faults.
• 1 - Offensive. Pour it out.

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