The brainchild of Greggor Hannah and recently bolstered by our old buddy Paul Mckendrick, Lady of the Glen are an Independent Bottler founded back in 2012. Specialising in natural strength, non-coloured, single cask Scotch.

Being as they were somewhat ahead of the curve of the recent wave of Indies, its testament to their skills that they have managed to remain competitive in such a competitive marketplace.

Embarrassingly, except for a rather excellent 1989 Bunnahabhain on Islay a few years back, I’ve had no previous experience of their bottlings. Until Paul was good enough to send me some samples down earlier in the year.

Let see what they’re all about…

Blair Athol

10 YEAR OLD (2011)

SINGLE CASK #300825

Hogshead

57.6%

£65.95

Colour

Pale Gold

Nose

Lightly pronounced with walnut caramel, orange peel and a very far of sprits of lemon rind.

Palate

Tongue coating and bigger on the nuts initially, Pecans and Brazil’s to be precise. Fresh citrus cuts through and almost separates a sweetened single cream note. But not quite.

Finish

Medium to long with sugared almonds initially, rounding off into roasted pine nut and oats.

Port Dundas

17 YEAR OLD (2004)

SINGLE CASK #73895

Oloroso Finish

58.1%

£81

Colour

Deep Gold

Nose

Very light nose with sandal wood and baking spices.

Palate

Thin but creamy feel and pleasantly mouth coating, Vanilla and orange chews, bonded with a gentle and agreeable bitter lemon fizz.

Finish

Short to medium length, fresh and zesty.

Glen Grant 23 Year Old 1998

Single Cask 9711

Oloroso Finish

50.4%

£163.90

Colour

Amber

Nose

Light nose with cinnamon, and dried orange.

Palate

Silky and mouthcoating, orange cake and toffee apples. Burned caramel with a sprinkle of ground white pepper and a slight suggestion of tropical mango.

Finish

Medium length with spiced buttery toffee.

Bunnahabhain 11 Year Old 2010

Single cask 554983

Oloroso

58.9%

£127.79

Colour

Deep Gold

Nose

Pronunciation is light with oily, salty, maritime notes. Typical of the distillery.

Palate

Thick and mouth coating with damp hessian sacks drying in the sun, lemon curd and nice heat from spices including cinnamon, nutmeg and anise, with a grapey undertone.

Finish

Medium length with lemony spices fading nicely.

Overveiw

Stoic efforts from the LOTG crew here folks.

Firstly, let me apologise to them for taking so long to review these whiskies, outside issues forced the delay!

Now, what we have here are “What they say on the label” whiskies, I wouldn’t be disappointed with any of them. My inner critic, however, is slightly concerned that in this case I’m finding the Glen Grant a touch restrained for the type. Otherwise, Greggor and the team are comfortably keeping in the race with their more recent competitors!

But you don’t have to believe me, GO AND FIND OUT FOR YOURSELVES!

See you soon!

Connas