Still looking for that perfect 25 YO anniversary Scotch whisky? Here are 7 more quarter century classics to supplement the previously published list. These are all single malts, both official distillery offerings and custom expressions by specialty bottlers. For the first 7 recommendations go here. All these selections are priced around $200 a bottle, although pricing will vary depending on local taxes. Bottle sizes will vary between 700 ml and 750 ml, depending on whether the whisky is sourced from UK mail order firms or from US retailers. Availability varies from relatively easy to more challenging. Consult www.winesearcher.com to find retailers stocking these whiskies. Many of the UK mail order houses, especially The Whisky Exchange and Masters of Malt, also stock these whiskies. Recently, Masters of Malt have temporarily suspended shipments to North America, but they continue to ship elsewhere in the world.
Benriach, 25 YO, 46.8% ABV The Benriach 25 YO is aged in a combination of three different cask types: ex-bourbon, Oloroso sherry and virgin oak. On the nose, it offers floral and sherry inspired aromas of dried fruit. There are notes of vanilla, caramel and a hint of salinity. On the palate, there is more dried fruit, especially stone fruit flavors of peach and apricot, along with chocolate and spice notes of cinnamon and cloves. The finish is dry, with complex layering of dried fruit and a note of pepperiness on the end.
Glen Garioch, 25 YO, 1991, 47% ABV This is a bottling by specialty bottler Duncan Taylor for their Dimensions range. Distilled in 1991, it was bottled in 2017, with an output of 177 bottles. The nose is complex, with aromas of ginger, sugar candy and cooked cereal, along with ripe green fruit of apples and pears. The palate offers red and black fruits, followed by cereal notes of digestives and oak. The finish offers nuanced layers of caramel, honey and fruit notes, accompanied by hints of smoke and a touch of minerality.
Caol Ila, 25 YO, 43% ABV This is the official distillery bottling from Islay’s largest distillery. On the nose, there is just a hint of smoke, followed by citrus, vanilla, fresh cut grass and caramel notes. On the palate, the whisky is creamy and rich, with sweet caramel notes, followed by old leather. The finish is subtle, but long, with sweet and leathery notes.
Glen Moray, 25 YO 1988, 43% ABV Distilled in 1988 and bottled in 2013, the Glen Moray was matured in ex-bourbon barrels and then finished in a port cask. On the nose, there is sugar candy, nuts, cereal and waxy furniture polish. The palate features flavors of vanilla, dried fruit, candied orange zest, some cinnamon and nutmeg. The finish is long, with persistent sweet, dried fruit notes.
Glenturret, 25 YO 1990, 45% ABV Mackillop’s Choice. Glenturret is the core malt for the blended whisky The Famous Grouse. This cask was distilled in 1990, and bottled in 2016, with an output of 275 bottles. On the nose, there are aromas of orange zest, caramel and a hint of buttery popcorn. The palate offers flavors of dried fruit, dried citrus peel and licorice, with notes of spearmint, cinnamon and cloves. The finish is medium length, with notes of dried fruit, licorice and cloves.
GlenAllachie, 25 YO, 48% ABV The 25 YO is the oldest of the 4 expressions in the recently relaunched GlenAllachie core range. It was matured in ex-bourbon, Oloroso and Pedro Ximenez barrels before being bottled. On the nose, there are the characteristic sherry notes of fruit cake, candied citrus and walnut, along with hints of waxiness and furniture polish. The palate offers complex, layered flavors of dried fruit, nuts, candied orange zest and milk chocolate, accompanied by lingering notes of old oak. The finish is very long, showcasing a dried fruit sweetness, along with peppery notes that build toward the end.
Glengoyne, 25 YO, 48% ABV This is a 25 YO single malt that was distilled in 1989 and bottled in 2014. It was matured for 25 years in Oloroso sherry casks. On the nose, there are raisins, figs and dates, along with sweet oranges, almonds and old leather. The palate offers vanilla, chocolate, dried fruits and candied citrus zest, along with notes of cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg. In other words, this is a rich, alcoholic Christmas fruitcake. The finish is exceptionally long, with notes of sweet dried fruit and black pepper.
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