OMG! I’ve had an epiphany, thanks to @GlasgowDistillery!
I had taken the decision to attempt a highly risky and fanciful notion of carrying out a head to head, Glencairn vs Norlan glass with a single malt, the new to me, 1770 2019 Release.
Many new producers are releasing younger drams; what else can you do to introduce cash flow, which are often, shall we say “lacking”, or offensive. So, tonight’s 2 round contest features Glencairn and Norlan glassware.
Who would’ve thought there could be such a radical difference resulting from a simple variation in vessels.
GLENCAIRN
APPEARANCE: basic hue of our local @AllOfOils Coconut White Balsamic
NOSE: given a shoogle, there is a rush on the nose. In the GC, the nose has a lot more intensity and higher concentration of phenols, at 46% this is to be expected. There is a rapid morph from the initial buzz, caramels, citrus tangs, pepperiness, a gradual progression to licorice, and marzipan (Mr Kipling Cherry Bakewells🤤), and a curious hint of Ross’s Oldfellows.
PALATE: rich and creamy mouthfeel. Sweet, warming spices, oak with accompanying pepperiness, malt, fennel, licorice and demerara. A nice, prolonged finish, here I am, sitting in Café Lahore in Helensburgh with a handful of Saunf Candy, circa 1998, it’s curious how flavours and aromas spark memories. A nice maltiness, really quite pleasant!
NORLAN
APPEARANCE: due to refraction, the hue is a slightly warmer and darker shade.
NOSE: the nose of the NG is substantially subdued. Dried fruits, brûléed sugars, white pepper, licorice, LOL Bassett’s Sherbet Fountain. You really need to dig deep into the glass to find these aromas.
PALATE: rich and creamy mouthfeel, accompanied by a confusion of sweetness (marzipan?), herbaceousness, white pepper, citrus rind, and a touch of bitterness. Notes of oak, treacle, dry Weetabix and an interesting Szechuan peppercorn numbing fizz. The finish is more intense and extended in the NG. Enjoyable sensations of pepper, oak, and a toffee-like sweetness.
At Vancouver’s Hopscotch Festival in 2019, Paul John Edited was the new eye opener… Goan, get oot the way, Glesga has taken over, and for all the right reasons!
A ‘Weegie’ dram worthy of the title “Dram of the Year, 2019”!
Sláinte Mhath! 🥃
Maid of the Malt 