Description

Glen Elgin 2007 Aged 15 Years Cask 807411 Single Malt Scotch Whisky – Infrequent Flyers Release #97 (700ml)

Volume: 700ml           ABV: 55.4%           Age: 15 Years            Country: Scotland

Cask Number: 2340
Date of Distilling: 2012
Matured In: A Single Madeira Hogshead (Hogshead, typically made from American oak and are known for their larger size, holding around 250 litres, which allows for a slower maturation process).

The Glen Elgin Distillery is situated on the edge of the Speyside city of Elgin, near the secluded hamlet of Fogwatt, Scotland. Glen Elgin was one of the last distilleries built during the great Victorian whisky boom, completed in 1898. Its architect, Charles Doig, famously predicted it would be the last distillery built in Speyside for 50 years—a prediction that remarkably came true. Its early years were challenging, facing closures and ownership changes. It was eventually acquired by Scottish Malt Distillers (SMD) in 1930, beginning its long association with the White Horse blended Scotch whisky brand. It is now owned by Diageo. Glen Elgin is known for producing a medium-bodied, often waxy, nutty, and slightly estery spirit.

Alistair Walker is a highly respected figure in the Scotch whisky industry, boasting over two decades of extensive experience. He held significant roles at prominent distilleries like BenRiach, GlenDronach, and Glenglassaugh, providing him with a profound, hands-on understanding of whisky production, maturation processes, and cask management. He established his own independent bottling company, the Alistair Walker Whisky Company, in 2018. This is his flagship brand, launched in July 2019. The name “Infrequent Flyers” cleverly reflects his bottling philosophy: he actively seeks out and bottles whiskies from a diverse range of distilleries, often those whose single malt expressions are less commonly encountered on the market, or those that offer a particularly unique and distinctive character from an individual cask. This highlights the rarity and the specific, often surprising, nature of each release. Alistair is deeply committed to presenting whiskies in their most authentic and unadulterated form. His releases consistently adhere to these principles, single sask bottlings, un-chill filtered, natural colour and cask strength

This is a Speyside single malt Scotch whisky, distilled at Glen Elgin in 2007 and matured for 15 years. It was bottled from cask #807411, which was a Sauternes Hogshead. Sauternes is a highly prized sweet white wine from Bordeaux, France, known for its rich, honeyed, and fruity characteristics, making its casks ideal for imparting complexity to whisky. It was bottled at a sturdy cask strength of 55.4% alc/vol and was a limited release of 262 bottles

Our Tasting Notes

Nose: Expect prominent sweet notes, reminiscent of brandy snaps, peanut brittle, and sugared almonds. There are hints of pistachio, along with the rich, heather honey character often associated with Glen Elgin. Dried apricots and perhaps a touch of candied citrus also emerge.

Palate: A deep underlying sweetness of honeycomb, immediately followed by the rich orchard fruit notes characteristic of Sauternes – stewed apricots, juicy raisins, and warm apple strudel. It’s dusted with brown sugars, delivering a satisfying, sweet complexity. Towards the end, an oasis of spices appears, with definite pepper and possibly cinnamon, offering a nice balance. A nicely poised whisky.

Finish: Peppery spices and oaky vanilla typically linger, with the honeyed fruit notes slowly fading. A warm and inviting finish.

This bottling highlights the elegant contrast between Glen Elgin’s robust spirit and the rich, complex sweetness of the Sauternes, making for a fascinating and delicious dram. A rare and delightful opportunity to taste a mature and distinct single malt from a distillery usually reserved for blends, beautifully enhanced by a rich Sauternes finish. It’s an excellent example of an independent bottling showcasing unique cask influence.