The Glover is a stunning blended malt made up of rare Japanese and Scottish whiskies. Named after the ‘Scottish Samurai’ Thomas Blake Glover, the first foreigner to receive the Order of the Rising Sun from the Japanese Emperor, it’s a celebration of the two countries’ relationship. The man responsible for blending this extraordinary whisky, alongside Charles MacLean, is Adelphi Managing Director Alex Bruce whose own Great-Great Grandfather the Earl of Elgin signed the first treaty of Trade and Amity between the UK and Japan in 1858!

A single ex-Sherry hogshead from the closed distillery Hanyu was selected, to which whisky from an American oak ex-Sherry hogshead from Longmorn was added (making up 35% of the final whisky) as well as a tiny bit of Glen Garioch from an ex-Sherry butt (a nod to Thomas Glover’s upbringing in Aberdeenshire). Just 390 hand-numbered bottles have been produced.

 

So yes, this is a rare find, and I felt incredibly lucky to be able to have a wee sample offered to me by the amazing folks of Adelphi! Sharing my experience with you guys, just felt like the right thing to do!

This incredibly rare expression is bottled at 53.1% ABV

Nose: At first sniff, you already just know that this yummy beast is going to take a while to decipher! The nose is incredibly sweet, rich and complex, offering a multi-layered aromatic experience. Red berries, herbal honey, dark chocolate-covered cherries, fruit pudding, sandal wood, rose water, toffee paste and orange blossom are actually just a few of the impressive array of flavours you could pick up in the nose.

Palate: A torrent of tropical fruits, precious wood, spices, almond milk, sweet chestnut, coconut cream and loads of flowery notes now flows onto my palate in strength and elegance. The mouthfeel here is simply stunning with quite a chewy texture and some citrusy hints in the background.

This dram has achieved to get the best of both worlds: combining the richness and deeper flavours of Scotch with the harmonious, delicate aromas of Japanese nectars. Overall, a real work of art from a very talented blender!

Finish: Slightly dry with wood spices, tannins and chocolate truffles.

 

Pssst! Find the recipe here!

Cover Pic Credits: Whisky Galore