Glen Flagler 12 YO Pure Malt
Glen Flagler 12 YO Pure Malt, 40 %
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Glen Flagler was a short-lived Lowland distillery, which opened 1965 and closed 1985. I have never reviewed a Glen Flagler (sometimes referred to as Glenflagler) before, so this is a first.
This release is labeled “Pure Malt”, a term not much in use anymore, as it is a bit confusing. A pure malt literally means it is a whisky made exclusively from malted barley, ie. no grain whisky involved - just pure malted barley. Thus a pure malt could be either a blended malt (previously also know as a vatted malt) or a single malt. The term was mainly used for blended malts, but there are also numerous examples of single malts previously labeled as “pure malt” (for example Glenfiddich). To further confuse the matter Glen Flagler also released products labeled as single malt back in the day. I have no idea whether this particular Glen Flagler is a single malt or a blended malt, although I see Whiskybase has tagged it as a single malt. I’ll go with that for now. If you know better, then please let me know!
This whisky was released for the Spanish market back in the day. I do not know when that day was, but obviously no later than the mid 90s.
Nose: Picture that beloved, timeworn attic in the wooden house I often mention while describing delightful, rare single malts. Now, envision a similar attic, but with a partially collapsed roof and piles of waterlogged cardboard boxes filled with damp, ancient books. Amidst this scene, black and white pepper is scattered across the floor, while a modest arrangement of vanilla and cinnamon sticks resides in a jar tucked away in a corner.
Taste: A medium-light body with a damp, watery character - yes, I'm aware I'm sipping on a liquid. Lacking excitement and rather bland, it offers hints of leather, vanilla, and ginger, accompanied by moist paper.
Finish: A medium-short finale that maintains its watery essence. Tastes of white sugar, white pepper, and drenched oak planks linger, with subtle notes of menthol and Vilhelmina peppermint in the backdrop.
Comment: Regrettably, this dram fails to impress.
Score 76/100
Sláinte!
-Thomas
