Fragrant Drops Caol Ila 8yo (Cask 301153-1) & Fragrant Drops Glen Garioch 14yo (Cask 3376)

Fragrant Drops Caol Ila 8yo (Cask 301153-1)

Region: Islay

ABV: 56.7%

Price: £85.95

Distilled at Caol Ila on the 1st February 2018 and bottled on the 9th February 2026 after 8 years of maturation. Finished for two years in a fresh PX quarter cask, cask 301153-1. Outturn of 156 bottles.

Nose

The nose opens with plenty of butter, think brioche and croissants, alongside wet earth and tar. There is no noticeable alcohol spice. We also find caramel syrup, Cadbury Caramel, and just heaps of caramel overall. Behind that sit sherry vinegar, salted peanuts, and peat smoke straight from a kiln.

Palate

The palate has a heavy Werther’s Originals note, alongside honey, warm butter, and ashy, meaty peat. The mouthfeel is okay, but lacks a little weight. Gingerbread and Smoky Bacon crisps appear on the mid-palate. The finish quickly transitions into pepper spice and ash. At times, it feels like the cask has overpowered the spirit.

Nose (with water)

Water brings out pistachios and makes the dram nuttier overall. The trade off is that the peat softens somewhat, though in return we get fresh citrus and pepper spice. With time in the glass, notes of cured meats begin to emerge. It has definitely become more savoury.

Palate (with water)

Similar to the nose, the diluted palate becomes more savoury. Water has not helped the mouthfeel. The peat now reminds us of smoked ham, and it is perhaps a touch spicier on the finish. There is also some burnt brown sugar on the mid palate now, while the sherry notes feel a little dimmed.

Conclusion

The cask nearly overshadows the spirit at times. One more suited to those who prefer a milder style of peat. We can appreciate what it is doing, but for us it is not really our bag.

Score: 6/10

Value

We assume the PX quarter cask finish has added to the cost here. 

Fragrant Drops Glen Garioch 14yo (Cask 3376)

Region: Highlands

ABV: 56.6%

Price: £60.00

Selected by and bottled for The Athletic Arms, this Glen Garioch was distilled on the 31st October 2011 and bottled on the 10th February 2026 after 14 years of maturation. It was drawn from a fresh ex bourbon barrel, cask 3376. Outturn of 116 bottles.

Nose

On the nose we find lemon balm, white pepper, milk chocolate, and melon Jolly Ranchers. Returning to it, there are also pineapple chunks, tobacco, lemon bonbons, lime chocolate sweets, fresh bread, and cashew nuts, alongside dragon fruit and passion fruit. There’s also a gentle pepper spice that tickles our noses slightly.

Palate

In general, the palate is fairly similar to the nose in terms of flavours. It opens with lemon sherbet, caramel, cooking chocolate, grapefruit, and cashew nuts. A little too much pepper spice joins the other notes on the medium length finish. The mouthfeel is okay, but lacks weight and texture. It is also a touch mouth drying.

Nose (with water)

Water has brought out pear drops, a chlorine like note, banana and acetone. A lot of the pre dilution notes have faded. That pepper spice is still tickling our nose slightly. Personally we prefer the nose undiluted.

Palate (with water)

Water has stripped this of most of the notes we would associate with the distillery. It’s now very chocolate forward with a lot of those fruitier notes now nearly gone. The spice on the finish is more like sweet chilli. The finish remains a medium length with burnt toffee joining the other notes.

Conclusion

Personally, we think this is better pre dilution. Undiluted, it is a great example of what the spirit can do in a bourbon cask. A few nitpicks on the palate drag the score down slightly.

Score: 7/10

Value

We actually think the Athletic Arms could have priced this higher.

• 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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