1999 Gordon & Macphail Connoisseurs Choice Glenturret 18 Year Old Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

Thanks to independent bottlers like Gordon & Macphail, you get access to novelties like this, otherwise rarely encountered on Australian shores. It's one of the older examples we've seen, matured for eighteen years in a first fill Sherry hogshead, filled in 1999 and bottled in 2017. 265 bottles.

Notes from the bottler... Aroma: Rich and balanced: stewed raisins, cocoa powder, and toasted hazelnuts combine with creamy vanilla. Blackcurrant and orange notes open up into a lasting menthol edge. Taste: Creamy and slightly warming, blackcurrant and blackberry accents develop into juicy orange, stewed fruits, and cinnamon coated in milk chocolate. Finish: Lingering chocolate with oak and subtle aniseed undertones. 51.6% Alc./Vol.

Previously called "Hosh", Glenturret was renamed in 1875, some 20 years or so after the nearby original operation of the same name closed. With only two stills, it's one of Scotland's smallest distilleries. Silent between 1923 and 1959, it later became a key component in the Famous Grouse blends. Today, Glenturret is home to "The Famous Grouse Experience" and remains one of the most visited distilleries in Scotland.

Other reviews... Apparently, this baby’s for Asia & Oceania. Colour: deep gold. Nose: rather typically Glenturret at first sniffs, with these notes of soot, brake pad and new leather, but I’m also finding some awesome notes of crushed wild raspberries and red grapes (ever crunched raw syrah?), and then a large nut cake that’s still warm. Pecans, walnuts… I have to say I enjoy this nose a lot this far. With water: oh, earth, old books, and mushrooms! Mouth (neat): superb! Hurray! Gracias! Merci! It’s been a while since I tried such a fantastic Glenturret, full of cigars, chocolate, all nuts one can find on Planet Earth, all honeys as well including the punchiest ones, and once again (since I already found that in another whisky this month), Linzertorte. Hoppla. Sure that’s all partly thanks to the cask, but still… With water: raspberry wine and caramel sauce, plus Maltesers. Makes you feel guilty, just a bit. Finish: long, rich, superb. Touches of violets and liquorice over some wonderful malty chocolate. Comments: dear whisky hounds, go get this one! (if I may). Well done, G&M!
91 points - Serge Valentin, whiskyfun.com