Glenturret 8 2010 SMWS 16.38 "ACME ghost repellent"

I purchased this quite some time ago by now when my whisky world hardly included anything more than Islay and the nearby islands. It’s expanded a great deal since then, but this still represents a decision from that era to start exploring more. And even though I haven’t opened it until now, it sparked far greater exploration and an expansion of my palate to the point I have enjoyed certain unpeated whiskies more than most peated ones. So, this is something of a spark that didn’t show itself until after the fire, but still I’m happy to be trying it now. They name is also particularly fun, so that’s a plus, I guess.

Glenturret 8, 2010 Vintage, Scotch Malt Whisky Society 16.38, Highland Single Malt, 59.3% ABV

Minutia: Distilled on November 25, 2010 and matured in a re-charred hogshead for 8 years yielding 315 bottles. This is part of the Peated flavor profile named “ACME ghost repellent”. Enjoyed neat in a glencairn.

Color: Burnished; 1.1.

Nose: Metallic. Weird caramel/toffee. Old tropical fruit. Vanilla pops in sometimes. Leather and tobacco.

Taste: Spicy on the particular dram with the notes. Leaves and wood under it. There’s a very creamy sweetness that can sit over it (different drams did or didn’t feature it, I believe my palate was different based on prior eating and such on the different days).

Finish: Mineral and earthy. It’s mostly medium, but then a bloody meat kind of kicks in an is very much metallic/irony.

I’m not quite sure I’d describe it as a “farm in a bottle” but it’s still quite nice. A rather unique sweet note on the palate was very pleasant and contrasted well with a more grounded and earthy finish (when my palate let me experience it). It’s a really weird one, and feels both novel and familiar somehow. I’m very glad I’ve bought a few other Glenturret casks, really looking forward to them. Definitely one of the ones I’ve had a song come to mind with next to no thinking about it, too.

Score: 83

Musical Evocation: Black Sabbath – “Sweet Leaf”