Glenesk 28 Years Old Blackadder Raw Cask:4929 54,6% 1983

Professional reviews

Serge Valentin (85)

Kudos to Blackadder for having unearthed a Glen Esk!!! The distillery was mothballed in 1985 and I believe the last vintage was 1984 (I had one by G&M).
Colour: amber.

Nose: fun, unusual stuff! Starts all on shoe polish and burnt wood, charcoal, cocoa powder and other very mat and dry things, before some ale comes out, together with some iron and various aromatic herbs such as thyme and rosemary. In other words, a barbecue in Provence ;-). With water: the fruits come out (cherries) together with more meatiness. Ham and chicken stock.

Mouth (neat): yes it’s good, although I wouldn’t say it’s totally characterful malt whisky at first sip but it gains presence on the palate. Some orange juice and spices, sultanas, figs, marshmallows and quite some toasted brioche, praline, then more citrus fruits, always around oranges. Good body. With water: more unusual, quite meaty again, mentholated, with also more oranges.

Finish: long and even better now. Spiced cranberry and orange juices.

Comments: more than just a curiosity or a rarity, this is seriously good malt whisky. Again, kudos to Blackadder!