Cadenheads Glen Garioch 12yo Authentic Collection April 2024 & Cadenheads Teaninich 10yo Authentic Collection April 2024

Cadenheads Glen Garioch 12yo Authentic Collection April 2024

Region: Highlands

ABV: 54.9%

Price: £55.00

First up today is a 12yo Glen Garioch that has been additionally matured in a white port hogshead since August 2020.

Nose

Initially, the nose offers fruity notes of pear, green grapes, and lemon zest, accompanied by musty cupboards, oak, and pepper, yet it remains pleasantly easy to nose even at 54.9%. Returning to it after some time reveals a touch of honey, grappa, lightly roasted coffee beans, and chocolate. While the profile is interesting, the port finish seems to cover of the Glen Garioch spirit.

Palate

On the palate, the initial sip is quite sweet, reminiscent of white sugar cubes and lemonade, with a hint of citrus and a fizzy quality. As it lingers on the tongue, warming spices like cumin and cinnamon emerge. Given time, floral and herbal notes of lavender and hibiscus appear, alongside orange peel and aniseed. The finish is of medium length, with sweet and spicy notes persisting on the tongue. The mouthfeel is good, offering some texture. The palate has more of the Glen Garioch character than the nose suggested.

Nose (with water)

With dilution, the nose gains notes of strawberry jam doughnut, apricot, dried papaya, pear tartin, and icing sugar, The addition of water brings out more of the Glen Garioch spirit character and has nicely opened up the drams nose.

Palate (with water)

With water, the palate evolves to include white musk and lavender, and becomes noticeably spicier with notes of raw cinnamon sticks. There's also some sweetness from caramel. Adding water changes the profile, bring out a synthetic sweetness we always find in Glen Garioch. The dram retains the mouthfeel and finish. Whether to add water or not would depend on personal preference.

Conclusion

The port finish adds an interesting dimension to the dram, introducing several notable notes that enhance its complexity. While there are a few minor aspects to nitpick, overall, it earns a solid 7/10.

Score: 7/10

Value

Outwith a few outliers Cadenheads remains one of the better value bottlers.

Cadenheads Teaninich 10yo Authentic Collection April 2024

Region: Highlands

ABV: 55.3%

Price: £45.00

Next up today, we're reviewing a 10-year-old Teaninich that has been fully matured in a Sherry butt since 2014.

Nose

The nose is initially somewhat restrained, featuring melted butter on lightly salted crumpets paired with a fresh sea breeze, and chocolate mousse. Time reveals a salted caramel note reminiscent of stroopwafel, buttered popcorn, and a hint of damp must, like we’ve stuck our nose in a freshly emptied cask. We’re not getting much red fruits, though there are slight hints of treacle and raisins. Overall, it's pleasant but a tad one-dimensional.

Palate

On the palate, the Sherry notes are more pronounced, with flavors of raisins, dates, marzipan, Nutella, and warmed figs. A warming spice blend of cinnamon and turmeric appears on the mid palate. Tobacco and a slight hint of ash arrive for the finish The mouthfeel is satisfying; the sweet notes effectively balance the spice and linger through a medium-length finish. Over time, sweetness from red berries and sugar butter icing emerges. Overall, the palate is pleasant, providing exactly the kinds of flavours you’d expect.

Nose (with water)

With the addition of water, the nose becomes more pronounced with Sherry influences. It reveals deeper notes of dates and raisins, complemented by apple turnover and cranberries. There’s minimal spice or alcohol detectable.

Palate (with water)

The reduced palate begins with a similar sweetness, but with the addition of much more meaty smoke alongside this. The palate develops into creme caramel, lemon pepper seasoning, mocha coffee and a little bit of white pepper spice.

Conclusion

We might not have identified this as a Teaninich, as it feels more like a generic sherried dram. It's pleasant enough, but some might seek a more pronounced sherry influence than it offers. We appreciate it for what it is, even if it isn't the most exciting whisky we've encountered.

Score: 7/10

Value

At under £50 for a cask strength 10-year-old Sherry-aged whisky, this represents great value in today's 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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