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Glen Elgin 11 Year Old Wormtub Single Cask Scotch Whisky Review

Can a worm-tub Glen Elgin at 59.4% ABV feel surprisingly light? This PX single cask review explores its red fruit, chocolate, and malty layers.

OVERALL RATING

10
$100
  • Mark Bostock, a whisky enthusiast specializing in independent bottlings.
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Tasting Notes

About:

One of a limited-edition collection of single cask releases from Wormtub Whisky, celebrating the handful of Scottish distilleries which still use the traditional worm tub condenser. Worm tubs play a vital role in traditional Scotch whisky production by slowing the cooling process and reducing copper contact; this unique method results in distinctive, heavy, robust spirit flavour profiles. From Speyside’s Glen Elgin distillery, this single malt spent 11 years maturing in a single Pedro Ximénez ex-sherry hogshead yielding 386 bottles, bottled at 59.4% ABV.
Appearance:
Golden Honey
Nose:
Deep, rich and inviting aromas beginning with sweet maple syrup and vanilla accompanied by a touch of chocolate, giving way to red fruits including berries and stewed red apple. There is also a note of malted biscuit.
Palate:
Surprisingly light but mouthcoating, opening with lots of spicy PX sherry notes accompanied by vanilla, milk chocolate, and a touch of oak. Layered notes of baked red apples and orange-peel zest follow alongside tropical fruit hard candies and a hint of walnut. There’s lots of rich malty notes throughout.
Finish:
A long finish, with juicy red apples, caramel and creamy chocolate interacting with malt, cinnamon and festive spices.
Comments:
This Glen Elgin single cask whisky combines bold notes of juicy red fruits, chocolate and lots of malt in shifting well balanced layers. The Pedro Ximénez sherry hogshead maturation is apparent, imparting plenty of spicy PX notes. It was surprisingly light for 59.4% ABV, and given I was expecting a heavier robust worm tub spirit profile for this release. One of the standout expressions for me amongst the Wormtub single cask releases, I especially enjoyed how the bold notes of malt and juicy fruits interact and linger for a very moreish cask strength whisky.

Editor’s Note: This whiskey was either bought as a sample by The Whiskey Wash or provided to us as a review sample by the party behind it. Per our editorial policies, this in no way influenced the outcome of this review.

Mark Bostock

Mark Bostock, an integral part of the Mark Littler LTD UK content writing team since 2019, brings a genuine passion for whisky, especially independent bottlings, to his work. His commitment to expanding his knowledge through attending tasting events and building his own collection enriches his contributions, blending expertise with enthusiasm.

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