Just Whisky 🥃: Glen Garioch 12

Glen Garioch 12 Highland single malt @ 48% abv
/ justwhisky

[@whiskyonthewestcoast]

I came here for Glen Garioch 12 Review and I left with an unexpected shout out! You are far too kind John, I appreciate it buddy. Really sorry to hear about the fate of that Highland Park Signatory, that's heart breaking. 💔 I consistently hear great things about Glen Garioch 12 and still haven't pulled the trigger on it. If people are finally waking up on this sleeper I probably need to get my butt in gear and grab a bottle. It seems we have plentiful supply around these parts but you truly never know. Great review, I've heard mention of the funk a few times so this is encouraging! Cheers 🥃

[@justwhisky]

GG12 is a sleeping giant. Grab it while you can. Happy to give you a shout out. You are one of the better newer channels out there. In the top 10 for sure! Cheers 🥃

[@utoobia]

Bought a bottle and had my first taste of this a couple weeks ago. On very first nosing….”Wow, it’s Deanston 12.” There are a LOT of scotches I’ve never had, but I know I’ve tried well over 400. None of them reminded me of Deanston. In my experience it’s been unique. This one is really close, though I’ve not done a side-by-side. I’m going to do it myself, but might make a good review.

[@justwhisky]

@@utoobia interesting 🤔… GG is unique for sure… glad you were able to find one… I haven’t had a lot of experience with Deanston… we’ll see…🤷‍♂️ Cheers 🥃

[@kellywellington7122]

Hey...Thanks. At least you recognize that there are those of us out there seeking Springbank alternatives. I just finished off a Craigallechie !3 on the same promise and it is tasty in my estimation. This is already on my 'to buy' list. You just bumped it up. It and Ardnamurchan are slated for the next run.

[@justwhisky]

C13 was my WOTY last year and GG12 is poised for the same in 2023… albeit Trini… which is in the running as well so far…

[@mikebennett3741]

Thanks for a good review. I just snagged a bottle in Waltham while driving through. But got the last one. Ha! Love it. Thought I might never find it again, so picked up a Founder’s Reserve. Trying that for the first time as I watch this. Nice, but not as rich and impactful.

[@justwhisky]

The secret is out! Score! Cheers 🥃

[@GeoffreyBangers]

Hey John! I love this whisky. It's on my shelf, and I think it's totally unique. I always get overripe strawberries, and I definitely get that thick oily feeling that real quality drams offer. I like that it can stand up to a dash of water at 48% too, which really lengthens the whole mid palate. Glad you found a bottle near you. Cheers!

[@justwhisky]

Right on! Cheers 🥃

[@petertilsley3015]

I forgot to mention....great review, no bullshit & you nailed it. Thanks

[@michaelwood3203]

John. I have recently bought the Founders Reserve which is NAS at 48%. It was 1 litre for £30.23 at an airport shop and it is non chill filtered but mit farbstop. This may not be mean the same is true for the 12 but one has to be suspicious that colour is in there. The 12 was reviewed on Whisky Wednesday and was greatly appreciated and Dramface have just done the Founders Reserve and again it was praised. Think you are right, looks like Glen Garioch may be on the up. They are owned by Beam Suntory. Perhaps the distilleries have realized that well made and well presented whisky is more likely to have a long term future than cheap boozers booze.

[@justwhisky]

Agree Michael, Thanks for the info. Cheers 🥃

[@kellywellington7122]

The more poor quality poors into the market, the more those with integrity stand out. If they struggle to keep decent portions of their product available to a wider, but still discerning audience, they win and the audience wins. Better and more assured quality wins all around.

[@justwhisky]

@@kellywellington7122 yes sir! Cheers 🥃

[@whiskeyisajourney]

Nice review. Looking forward to the Speyburn 15 review. Keep up the good work.

[@WhiskyLoversSociety]

Nice review

[@lightplays2181]

Hi John ! Good review , like .Cheers !

[@eholopai]

One of my all time favourites, nice to hear that you like it too:) My theory of the funk is that it’s caused by the sulphur that is really prominent in GG 15 yo sherry cask matured. Perhaps they use the same casks here, but since we also have the ex bourbon maturation, the end result is much more balanced.

[@justwhisky]

Makes sense. Cheers 🥃

[@WhiskyLock]

Yeesh! What a waste! Brings a tear to your eye. Truly old Highland Park is almost always bloody amazing... such a shame that it's always unaffordable now! Another possibility is that the sample is fake. I've had three or four samples of rare, old whisky that I bought because they're otherwise unavailable and they all shared a similar colour and young and spirity style. I'm 99% sure that they had been refilled with some cheap blend full of e150. Likely by the same person. I guess it's an easy way to make some money and pretty low risk as many people collect miniatures that they will never taste. And even if you do think you've bought a fake, who do you go to with the remaining 40ml to prove it? Oh and thanks for the review 😉

[@justwhisky]

The HP miniatures we’re given out as wedding favors in 2004/5. I’m guessing a couple hundred. I’ve heard that the plastic coated cardboard screw caps can taint miniatures over time, especially if they were stored on their side? Ralfy has spoke about this as well. The cap was well secured. I recently had the pleasure to sample some old Johnie Walker and Cutty Sark from the 1960’s/70’s in full 3/4 quart bottles. The JW was impressive on both the nose and palate but the Cutty had an off putting paint thinner nose similar to the tainted HP miniature but the Cutty tasted ok on the palate albeit no where near as impressive as the JW, which eclipses the quality and drinking experience compared to the lackluster current JW offerings . Cheers 🥃

[@WhiskyLock]

@@justwhisky Neither plastic nor cardboard are things you want submerged in your whisky long term so it's possible. And yeah seals on miniatures are notoriously unreliable. I guess miniature collectors don't care because they don't intend to ever drink it? Sounds like a load of stress to me though. Shrinking corks on full bottles is bad enough 😅

[@justwhisky]

@@WhiskyLock drink the miniatures fresh and save the damn empties as decoration 😳🤩

[@whiskyonthewestcoast]

Really interesting possibility here. Both this and the theory that it was just off from storage both seem plausible. I think I'm firmly in the camp of drinking them sooner rather than later. Love both of your channels! Cheers gents 🥃

[@petertilsley3015]

The one i purchased in New Zealand, It had it written in German on the label that it had colouring. Didnt worry me because the whisky was so damn good. 9 out of 10 from me. Wish I had known about this stuff years ago.

[@justwhisky]

I’ve been alerted that it might be colored but minimal in my opinion. But as you say… pros outweigh the cons…

[@kevinnordby4808]

Nice review once you got to it. 😂 I recently picked up a bottle of Glen Garioch 12 and halfway through my first dram I poured a little Kilkerran 12 to compare it to because I was also picking up some commonality between the two. Thanks for another great review John. 👍

[@justwhisky]

Thanks Kevin…. Interesting comparison…I’ll have to try that! Cheers 🥃

[@heartbroken522]

i have the same glen garioch 12yo bottle, mine's cork is fine😊

[@heartbroken522]

i got it for 25 bucks 2yrs ago😂

[@justwhisky]

@@heartbroken522 that’s almost free 😳

[@DileepB]

very good whisky.

[@ursoouindio]

That is one of my favorite 12! Cheers

[@justwhisky]

Shhh… indeed it is!

[@janteun3]

Yeah i like this one olso very good dram bud i prefer the glen garioch 15 more bud the 15 years old is expensive 90 euro where i live in Europe

[@justwhisky]

Thanks…. Haven’t seen the 15… even the 12 is challenging to find but good to know in case I stumble upon it. Cheers 🥃

[@justinmaizeblue]

Looks a little orange in color. Maybe some color.

[@justwhisky]

Very possible indeed but minimal if any IMO

[@josesoza5836]

Agree, it is solid… but not for everyone

[@justwhisky]

That’s why I gave it second place. Cheers 🥃

[@bluesmanen1]

Quite a lovely dram. Have you tried Glen Garioch 15yo sherry cask matured, fantastic dram

[@justwhisky]

Haven’t had the 15.

[@bennyfriis601]

Totally agree on the GG 15 yo - it's awesome! Unfortunately it has gone up quite a bit (the last time, I saw it online) in price compared to just a couple of years ago (30% increase) here in Denmark. So... I'll look in other directions for the time being. Actually, I bought the GG 12 yo instead, but I haven't uncorked and tasted that one yet, though.

[@justwhisky]

@@bennyfriis601 never seen the GG15 in my area and the G12 is now scarce. Will keep a look 👀 Cheers 🥃

[@bennyfriis601]

@@justwhisky Availability here in Denmark is on/off as well, but more often than not I can't find it online. I don't know if it's due to small batches or if it has actually been discontinued (it's no longer listed on their website under "Our whiskies"). If you find it (depending on the price level of course), I'd certainly grab a bottle. But beware that it's the sherry cask matured (WB72508) and not the 15 yo The Renaissance. I don't know, whether the latter is good, but it's just not the same whisky... Cheers John, I hope you'll find it some day 😎🥃

[@justwhisky]

@@bennyfriis601 thanks Benny. Much appreciated! Cheers 🥃

[@markoldeheuvel6574]

Not a real review .reading his notes

[@justwhisky]

Referencing my notes openly and honestly with no hidden monitors or off camera wax board and zero editing. 99% of reviews are heavily edited. I have nothing to hide and am transparent…. And it costs you zero! All reviewers have tasting notes developed over several days/weeks/months to provide viewership with the best possible evaluation to share for FREE! Cheers 🥃🧐

[@markoldeheuvel6574]

Over here in the Netherlands I paid $44 only, I did not have any problems with the cork. Great whisky 🥃

[@utoobia]

Boooooo.

[@steviestevie6868]

would be nice to hear your review "live" rather than you keep looking down at your notes & quoting them! Instant flavour/taste is better...

[@justwhisky]

Appreciate the critique but honestly even Ralfy has notes as well as most others. Most others do extensive editing and or monitors that they read off. I am completely transparent unedited. Also most if not all write down tasting notes as they explore the bottle over weeks or months and then watch their monitor or edit their videos to be a more polished version. My written notes have been compiled over time and are there for reference. Even Bob Dylan keeps and tours with his entire songbook simply because he knows it’s there. I am proud that I do my best to keep it real and authentic and yes keeping my notes close by so that I don’t miss anything. Plus it’s all free! Cheers 🥃

[@steviestevie6868]

@@justwhisky Thanks for the comments and yes I must agree with you in general. It was just the first time I had noticed it many times in one of your reviews which i felt spoiled the flow. It was a constructive comment honestly 8o).

[@ronanmcconnellable]

@just whisky i listen to your reviews while driving and it doesn't sound like you're reading from notes! Love this whiskey. Enjoy it while you can i feel like worth the new changes to the distillery it's about to get very highly sought after in a couple of years

[@justwhisky]

@@ronanmcconnellable thanks Ronan. I do use my notes as reference but not as a script as you noticed. Appreciate the support! I also listen to most Tubers while driving. Agree that GG12 is and will continue to be sort after. Cheers 🥃