Glen Garioch 12YO, 48% - Whisky Wednesday.

[@WhiskyWednesday]

*Point of correction - This whisky isn't natural colour.

[@WhiskyNeighbour]

Agreed. A fantastic 12 year old and at a surprising price. Cheers!

[@WhiskyWednesday]

Couldn't agree more!

[@pl3317]

A true hidden gem. Excellent full bodied taste. The marketing people haven't destroyed this one yet...

[@WhiskyWednesday]

Agreed.

[@jameswrightesq]

I absolutely love this stuff! It's $65 CAD here in BC, Canada which is a cracking price for a bottling of this quality.

[@WhiskyWednesday]

That is an insane price!

[@jimidrammer4187]

There was a standard 15yo years ago, this 12yo almost makes up for it. A true gem that just hides on the shelf in small quantities at random stores. I keep one around for that unique crisp texture and clean profile.

[@WhiskyWednesday]

A truly outstanding product. Thr 15YO I think is airports only now.

[@williambyington4864]

Every couple of trips to the spirit shop I will see a bottle of Glen Garioch 12 on a shelf and I will think to myself "I am going to give that a try, someday". I think that day has come.

[@WhiskyWednesday]

Yes!

[@jackthepickledhound]

Now I'm excited to crack open that 1994 vintage 17 year old. Found it in NY area 2 years ago at a surprisingly reasonable price. I've got my eye on a sherry matured one. Never seen the 12. Sounds like a worthy dram. No idea what kind of marketing they are doing. But it's on my radar for sure.

[@WhiskyWednesday]

This is all wonderful news

[@colourlessbluethings]

Nice to see Glen Garioch get some love. Great, underappreciated whisky.

[@WhiskyWednesday]

Massively.

[@garyk3675]

Long time listener - first time commenting! I have a 1994 vintage 17 yo bottled at 53.9% ABV that I love. And a 1993 vintage 21 yo bottled by Adelphi at 58.6% ABV. Plus a couple of 15 yo distillery bottles from 2000 bottled at 53.7% ABV. Love this distillery and always wondered why we hear so little from it! Appreciate your channel! Thanks!!

[@WhiskyWednesday]

Rather jealous of that collection.

[@RobinSidwellKoaDobro]

Bought this one a few years ago and really enjoyed it. I particularly remember the black peppery note and also some tropical fruits. Not sure why I never replaced it; probably because, like you said, nobody really talks about it so it stays off the radar. Will have to pick it up again though.

[@WhiskyWednesday]

Yes!

[@allanwhittle3041]

Totally agree with you , this whisky is underrated under the radar for too much ..Its very good stuff ...Great review ...Thanks !!

[@WhiskyWednesday]

Glen Garioch love, everywhere.

[@howardbecdove9780]

Thanks for another great video. I bought the founders reserve and the 15. Did not like the Founders at all. To my pallet it had this boiled veggie taste that I just couldn’t get past. The 15 is a different beast. It’s improving as I get through the bottle, but it’s not one I’d buy again. You got me into “Black Bull”, after a glowing review, and I note you’ve mentioned it several times since. Amazing value and great dram. I’m on the third bottle. This brings me to “The Big smoke”, also a Duncan Taylor Blend - a smoky Islay blend. In my region only the 46%ABV is available. Americans seem to be able to get the 60%ABV. Anyhow, this 46% can still take water. My wife and I put this up against Lagavulan 16 in a blind tasting, with both of us preferring The big smoke. Love it so much that I just bought two more bottles in my region for aprox. £32. Non chill filtered and natural colour. It came go my attention when Erik Wait counted it in his top ten whiskies for 2022. Thought I’d give you the heads up, in case it hasn’t come to your attention. 👍

[@WhiskyWednesday]

This is all excellent information!

[@sandymacdonald8485]

Just visited Glen Garioch 10 days ago and it was a very interesting Distillery to visit and I'm a sucker for Distillery exclusives so ended up with the last bottle of the Missouri Oak First Fill Barrel 61.6%

[@WhiskyWednesday]

I feel true jealousy. First fill Missouri oak at 61.6. Damn.

[@Aircraftsystemst]

I like Glen Garioch 12 yr! When I tasted it first I was overcome with this sweet Xmas pudding flavour, it knocked my socks off.

[@WhiskyWednesday]

It still has that kick! Potent and flavourful.

[@Alex-pr6zv]

According to sellers in Germany, Glen Garioch 12 contains colorant, but it's not chill-filtered. Regardless, I demolished a bottle of the 12 in quick time last year.

[@WhiskyWednesday]

You may be right here. It may have additional colouring.

[@Shane4Bass]

Enjoying the review while sipping a Port Charlotte

[@WhiskyWednesday]

Another great whisky.

[@squinugie2091]

Super distillery to visit and a range of interesting hand fill distillery only casks in the shop. Once had a 1992 18 year Old DL Old and Rare purchased from The Whisky Shop in Norwich which was superb and the '71 Samaroli (I only had one dram!) is stellar.

[@WhiskyWednesday]

Oooooooo, that Old and Rare sounds amazing.

[@JohnsDrams]

I'm glad you've covered this! I came across Glen Garioch a few years back working at Usquabae - I found the 12 to be rich, fruity and full bodied and the FR to be lighter and more creamy. Both fantastically put together whiskies. My local has a bottle of Distillery Bottled Glen Garioch the colour of cola syrup. It is exceptional.

[@WhiskyWednesday]

Annoyed at myself for ignoring it for so long. 2023 whisky to do list - Glen Garioch.

[@willemkilian9563]

I would totally buy this if I could, but it's not very available here in South Africa. I really wish that I could try it one day. In the meantime, thanks for your thorough review!

[@WhiskyWednesday]

Hoping it's with you soon.

[@foodquig]

I have some Founder's Reserve, I have one of those 1995 bottles, but it's open, and I have two batches of their virgin oak matured whisky... I also have had severa lbottles of the 12year old. This distillery gives great value for the money. Glen Garioch is one of my favorite distilleries...

[@WhiskyWednesday]

All excellent.

[@whiskyguidedog6558]

Glen Garioch listed as part of DL's Timorous Beastie malt blend

[@WhiskyWednesday]

Did not know that. Thank you.

[@ronanmcconnellable]

I really enjoyed this one got it recently. Its got a great wee character!

[@WhiskyWednesday]

Wonderful distillery style.

[@thewhiskyenthusiast]

Brilliant review and great info! We did a vertical Glen Garioch tasting with 12, Founders and 4 IBs and 12 was a big big hit with everyone. It is a fantastic whisky and yes I do see it in duty frees from time and again. Cheers!

[@WhiskyWednesday]

Excellent whisky.

[@thewhiskyscout1238]

It is a wonderful whisky not seen often in Kansas so I buy it when I see it. Great job!

[@WhiskyWednesday]

Hello from Kansas!

[@dalekelly7314]

It is crazy how good this is and not talked up as it should be. I saw a review last year on Dramface and grabbed it and loved it. I am on my second bottle and I just love the unique profile. Truth be told its not the easiest to find. The Founders reserve is much more readily available but I never tried it. I can get this for $65 in NJ so its a great price point. I gotta try to find some of the older releases it sounds like.

[@WhiskyWednesday]

Bias from the UK point of view, it's on shelves but rarely talked about. Great whisky though, as you say.

[@MarkHanson-du3qs]

Great whisky and priced really reasonable in Canada. Cheers

[@WhiskyWednesday]

More reason to get it.

[@dennistigchelaar3393]

Good to see you reviewing this brand. I'm very curious now, especially for the price here in the Netherlands. (just under €40 ex. shipping) Definitely one for on my shopping list. Thanks!

[@WhiskyWednesday]

Yes! Let me know your thoughts.

[@Ivo--]

Non chill filtered at 48%! I'm willing to overlook the e150

[@WhiskyWednesday]

It's worth it.

[@gareth630]

One of my favorites and is always in my stash I find it so much more interesting than the Glenallachie 12 yr and some others of the same ilk.

[@WhiskyWednesday]

Has moved into that ilk for too!

[@ronaldbeerguy]

One very, very few single malts I can buy in western Canada that has carries a decent price to quality ratio. $70 CND in Saskatchewan Canada. Great review!

[@WhiskyWednesday]

That is a bargain!

[@MrChristopherMolloy]

I very rarely see this any longer where I am, but I do have a bottle tucked away. From memory, it has a lot in common with Craigellachie 13.

[@WhiskyWednesday]

Loads! Slightly less salty. But very similarm

[@peterc3822]

I have a Glen Garioch 12 open and just had a dram of Glen Garioch 15 Sherry cask 53.7%. The sherry cask is one of, if not the most, affordable mid-range sherry cask whisky at high proof. $125 AUD at duty free currently. Super interesting whisky, not your typical sherry being more dirty and earthy with a touch of sulfur and spice ontop of the typical Glen Garioch maltiness. One to try and find as well if you can

[@WhiskyWednesday]

You've sold it to me.

[@bluesmanen1]

This one is great, I had a few bottles over the years. At the moment I also have The 15yo sherry cask matured, really good. I also have the 1999 vintage red wine cask matured, a really odd one, takes some time to get to know.

[@WhiskyWednesday]

I tried that wine cask! It was outrageous after being open a while.

[@michaelwood3203]

I picked up a litre bottle in the airport of Founders Reserve. It remains on my shelf unopened. At the time I was tempted by the price with a background memory that it was pretty decent. The reviews I’ve seen were indifferent so i thought my self a sucker for taking the plunge without better knowledge. It is good to hear you review of the 12 and it would be interesting to hear a comparison of the two. Mine is non chill filtered but is coloured because it has the mit farbstoff sticker and is 48 abv. The price was £30.23.

[@WhiskyWednesday]

I've got a miniature of the Founder's, I'll review that very soon!

[@AlinJapan]

I'm not sure what Suntory's goal is for Glen Garioch, but they have invested £6 million into it recently. According to their news release, "The renovation will see the distillery return to more traditional production processes, while also introducing new cutting-edge technology for direct-fired distillation. The planned changes will also reduce the distillery’s carbon footprint. Work began in 2020, and various stages are expected to be completed over the course of 2021." I like that their are at least intending to use traditional distilling practices.

[@WhiskyWednesday]

Yes, this is a massive point, which is a bonus. But it still just seems lost in the ether.

[@NickDV007]

Great video and great review. The GG 12 is a fantastic whisky and I’m glad that it’s not too popular 😉 if it is, they may be inclined to put the price up. Thanks for sharing 🥃🥃

[@WhiskyWednesday]

Yeah...maybe I shouldn't be shouting about this.

[@MarkHanson-du3qs]

I forgot to add that at least in Canada they have a renaissance series of cask strength around 18 years as well.

[@WhiskyWednesday]

Those Renaissance bottles were amazing!

[@whiskyonthewestcoast]

Great video man! I am enjoying the Glen Garioch Renaissance Ch.4 18 year old, I skipped over the 12 for the 18 simply because the 18 was available in Canada for the equivalent of £80 which over here is a really decent price. I have to make good and get to that 12, it sounds great.

[@WhiskyWednesday]

That's a mental price for that! Well over £100 in the UK.

[@GTJWilding]

Glen Garioch has so much potential. I have a 24yo early 90s vintage Old Malt Cask that is one of my favourite bottles I own and I'd dearly love to try some of the late 60s/70s vintage single casks that go for thousands of £££ at auction. I did once get a miniature of the old 1970s 8yo at auction and it was really fascinating. I heard rumours that they're starting to use peat again, don't know if that's true though.

[@WhiskyWednesday]

Outrageous distillery. Haven't heard that rumour, but I would be surprised. It's very welcome.

[@CPW1991]

I have only seen it in travel retail, usually in the 1L bottle for around 45-50 pound.

[@WhiskyWednesday]

Travel Retail is normally a horrible place for whisky, happy to be proven wrong.

[@budzogan]

I really like Glen Garioch 12. Sadly it is not natural color, but its fine for me.

[@WhiskyWednesday]

Yes, there is a small error on my part there.

[@ricardodelorenzo3954]

Is Glen Garioch used for Naked Grouse blended malt? EDIT: No it's not. I was thinking of Glenturret

[@WhiskyWednesday]

This was my thought, as well. What are they using it for?

[@arnoldandujar4893]

So it has caramel color 🤔?

[@WhiskyWednesday]

It sadly does. But is good on all other fronts.

[@whiskyguidedog6558]

I’m on my third bottle I think, and it’s one I will keep replacing. I also have an expensive and high quality Glen Garioch 1999 Chateau Lagrange Wine Cask Matured (bottled 2018), and Glen Garioch 17YO Renaissance. The 12 yo is sertainly quite unique, and pleasing, each time I happen upon it in my stash. The 17 is a tad oaky, but I’m thinking European, judging by the spice. Thanks for the review, cf. Gwhisky kzbin.info/www/bejne/rXezmqOsfsmfa9k; Ralfy loved it in a reivew, a long time back.

[@WhiskyWednesday]

That 17YO certainly sounds interesting. A spicy distillery style in spicy European oak. That wine cask was very good, a customer let me try it a very long time ago.

[@rth0511]

very heavy whisky

[@WhiskyWednesday]

The heaviest.