Garnheath Càrn Mòr Single Grain Cask 313235 50.8% 1974

Professional reviews

Serge Valentin (87)

I’d never have thought we’d see a new Garnheath! I’ve tried three Garnheaths in my entire life, and all had been distilled in the 1960s. Together with Ladyburn, the distillery used to lie within the bankrupt Moffat complex, and was closed for good around 1985. Colour: gold. Nose: well as I was remembering Garnheath (yeah yeah), that is to say very light, discreet, whispering… In truth it’s the barrel that speaks here, and what it tells us is pleasant. Butterscotch, praline, white chocolate, vanilla, a wee touch of wood dust, one or two jelly babies (pineapple-flavoured)… Whispering indeed. With water: the barrels speaks out, the spirit answers… not much. But it was a nice barrel. Mouth (neat): ho ho ho! We’re in rum territories now, and I cannot not think of lightish Enmore from Guyana. Pineapple butter cream, coconut liqueur, sugar cane, drops of orange juice… In truth it’s very tropical. Very approachable, and certainly not tired. With water: becomes truly excellent, if still easy. Fruity, vanilla-ed, sweetly oaky old juice. Doesn’t taste old at all, by the way. Probably filled at 70% vol., if not more. Finish: easy, sweet, not old. This could be 10yo. Comments: you haven’t got the complexity of an old malt, and the distillate had probably been filled at super-high strength in fifth-fill wood, but I find this delicate style rather entrancing. But I doubt anybody would still do this these days.