There are too many Scotch whisky brands to have heard of them all. Admittedly, Glenlaird hasn’t been around for long, but it was still launched about a year before I first heard of it. There’s a Glenlaird 10 Years and a Glenlaird 12 Years, each single malt whisky.

Glenlaird is a brand created by Stravaig Spirits, the same company that’s also behind Tri Carragh. While they originally started out as a independent bottler of single cask malt whisky, their South-Korean importer was asking for bigger volumes. That’s how the idea for Glenlaird was born. After a successful launch in South-Korea, Glenlaird is now available in other markets as well.

There’s no mention of the distilleries on the Glenlaird labels, but that doesn’t mean we don’t know. For example, the Glenlaird 10 Years was sourced from Balmenach, a traditional Speyside distillery (with worm tubs!) that produces an old-style whisky.

The Glenlaird 12 Years remains more a mystery, except that it’s actually 14-year-old single malt whisky. The 12-year-old age statement was chosen to ensure continuity of stock down the line. As far as its provenance? It truly is unknown, except for an educated guess by by Stravaig Spirits founder Ryan McCafferty, who mentioned the possibility of lightly peated Loch Lomond.

Glenlaird 10 Years (48%, Stravaig Spirits, Batch 1)

Nose: Hint of copper coins (a slight dirtiness), but it soon fades and makes way for allspice, grainy pears and draff. Then a touch of mint, as well as freshly cut grass, a sliver of lime zest and ripe bananas.
Taste: Fairly creamy mouthfeel with sweet barley notes, a soft bitterness and fair amount of grassy and leafy notes. Also gentle spices, such as cloves and a small pinch of pepper.
Finish: Medium length. More leafy notes and some charred oak.

Conclusion

There’s a quiet intensity to the nose that doesn’t quite translate to the palate. It’s rather big and the dirtiness is interesting. But it lacks some depth also. A fine dram, but nothing too special.

7.9

Glenlaird 12 Years (48%, Stravaig Spirits, Batch 1)

Nose: Notes of sweet peat, touches of leather and candied lemons. A tinge of charcoal, soft minerals and a whiff of tinned peaches as well. Then some Werther’s Original and pear drops.
Taste: Slightly oily (which I like). A touch of vegetal peat, and there’s a soft earthiness to it. Then some cracked black peppercorns, gentle vanilla notes and melted butter.
Finish: Medium length. Slightly ashy and whispers of caramel. Finally a sliver of creosote and smoked pears. Getting sweeter as time progresses.

Conclusion

A fairly straightforward representation of medium peated Highland whisky, which is a good thing of course. The nose outperforms the palate, but it has enough body and richness to convince.

8.3

Samples provided by SPIRITS.services