2003 Glentauchers 15 Year Old "Chieftain's - K&L Exclusive" Single Sherry Butt Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Notes

After many years out of the California market, the Chieftain's brand is back. Don't get too excited because along with their re-introduction, they've recently announced their final run of single cask offerings. While we wait patiently for the demise of this famous brand, we found this gorgeous little butt of 'Tauchers sitting in a warehouse in New Jersey. Delicious sherried malt from one of Scotland's least known distillers for less than $100? Wait, less than $75? Yes please! Glentauchers Distillery was built in 1898, just a few years before the entire Scotch industry collapsed in the Pattison Crisis. It somehow survived but was mothballed in 1985 by DCL. It was acquired by Allied Distillers and reopened in 1992. In 2005, a couple of years after this spirit was distilled, the distillery was acquired by Chivas Brothers. Some of the purists might complain that it was bottled at 92 proof, but that does little to negate the unbelievable value this cask represents. Non-chillfiltered and of course naturally colored, this was aged for 15 years in a top notch first fill oloroso sherry butt. Wafting from the glass aromas of dried autumn leaves, freshly sprinkled forest floor, caramelized citrus peel and raisinets. Both sultry and satisfying simultaneously. Those darker flavors are balanced nicely with some tropical fruit flambeed, red berries in sugar and sweet maple cookies. An altogether stunning example of the often forgotten Banffshire distillery.