Glenglassaugh Octaves Classic Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

Scotch whisky lovers will be familiar with the concept of octaves. As with the Quarter Cask approach, essentially, the smaller barrel volume creates more wood-whisky interaction, soaking up barrel characteristics faster. While the rapid wood influence adds more vanilla and spice, it requires careful management to avoid over-oaking, which is why octaves are typically employed to 'refine' whiskies, improving colour and adding complexity over months as a finishing, rather than a full term process. Glenglassaugh take the concept to an extreme! According to the producers, expect "A delicious combination of citrus and sweet notes". Non chill filtered and natural colour. 44% Alc./Vol.

Other reviews... I’ve tried quite a few octaves by other makers that had been too new-oaky (vanilla, coconut, and basta), but let’s see… Colour: pale gold. Nose: it’s got a ‘crafty’ side for sure, with a youth that shines through (porridge, pears) and some half-sweet, half-spicy oak, very ‘American’. Vanilla, ginger cake, then rather butterscotch and crème brulée. The earthy/bready touches in the background work well, this is not a new-oak bomb. Mouth: a creamy mouth feel, it almost flows like honey, and a very pleasant acidic sweetness mingle with grassy oak. Citron liqueur and green tea, pepper, a few grassy eau-de-vie-ish notes (I’ve distilled spent lees on day, the result had a few similar notes), some bay leaves perhaps… The oak’s influence never stops growing and rather makes me think of European oak this time. But I doubt it’s European oak. Finish: rather long, really grassy and bitter, not in a bad way at all. Herb cordial. The vanilla is back in the aftertaste and comes with oranges or citrons. Comments: a good example of some young malt from some active oak. This time, balance has been found.  78 points - whiskyfun.com