Scotch

Glen Marnoch Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky Review

Can Aldi's Glen Marnoch Speyside single malt punch above its budget price tag, or does a bitter, caramel-heavy palate let down its promising nose?

OVERALL RATING

5
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Tasting Notes

About:

Glen Marnoch Speyside is part of the award-winning, budget-friendly Single Malt Scotch range from Aldi supermarket in the UK.

With Islay and Highland variations, as well as other limited releases including some impressive age statements, they became the talk of the whisky scene on their release. The distilleries behind the releases have remained undisclosed, hidden behind the Glen Marnoch brand name.
Appearance:
A light amber hue.
Nose:
On the nose, this spirit slowly opens with a mild malty note and warming aroma of homemade baked biscuits. Very subtle floral notes with a hint of toffee and fermented apples.
Palate:
At 40%, you would expect a smooth texture however, this was very thin and watery, providing very subtle flavours of burnt caramel and a bitter tang reminding me of straight E150a caramel colouring. There is some sweeter notes of caramels and toffees with a bit of spicy ginger snaps.
Finish:
The finish is short providing a dry slightly bitter spice which quickly fades away.
Comments:
I had hoped to discover a new budget bottle that offered excellent value for its price, but I ultimately found this one slightly underwhelming. Whether due to an overuse of caramel colouring, low quality casks or another factor, that bitter, burnt note unfortunately dominates the palate which undermines the potential from the more interesting nose.

There’s no question that it is fairly priced, however there is little here to truly engage you in the glass. For me I would suggest spending just 10% more on something that will hold your attention for longer.

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.

Pete "Jeff Whisky" Jeffery

Based in the South West of the UK, Jeff brings an irreverent and laid-back approach to whisky reviewing, dispelling any notions of snobbery surrounding the spirit. With a genuine enthusiasm for exceptional drams, he often embraces the whimsical side of whisky. Jeff's tongue-in-cheek whisky content has earned him recognition in the Malt Whisky Yearbook, and he has contributed articles and reviews to numerous whisky platforms.

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