Glen Ord

   

Glen Ord distillery is located in Muir of Ord, Ross-shire in the Highland Scotch whisky region and was founded in 1838 by Thomas MacKenzie.

Thomas MacKenzie, however, didn't run the distillery himslef, instead he licensed it to The Ord Distillery Co. which was a partnership between D. McLennan & Robert Johnstone.

Robert Johnstone took complete control, but then suffered bankruptcy in 1847.

Alexander McLennan & Thomas MacGregor bought the distillery, but not until 1855.

 
 

Upon his death in 1870 Alexander's widow took over control of the distillery, but she remarried in 1877 and Glen Ord then returned into the control of the MacKenzie Clan as she married Alexander MacKenzie.

They expanded the distillery with a new still house which was almost immediately destroyed by fire, an event not so uncommon in those days.

Alexander died in 1896 and Glen Ord was sold to James Watson & Co. then in 1923 it was sold to John Dewar & Sons who became part of DCL and in 1930 was transferred to SMD.

1985 Saw Glen Ord become part of United Distillers who later formed Diageo.

 

 
  More great distillery info here, thanks to Malt Madness  

My thanks to Teun van Wel for permission ot copy & use the distillery photos

 

 

  Glen Ord  

General whisky characteristics: Complex and spicy

 
  OB  

Original Distllery Bottlings

 
 

Glen Ord, 12y, 43% ABV

Decanter version

Typical cost of this bottle; €€€€€

 
  Nose: Hints of aniseed over very faint hazelnuts

Palate: Slightly thin and watery with plenty of spice / pepper and a lingering cross between nuts and raisins on the back of the tongue.

Overall Impression: It is spicy, with a long finish.

 

   
   

Glen Ord, Managers Choice, 1997-2009, 59.2% ABV

Cask 10181, one of 204 bottles

Typical cost of this bottle; €€€€€

Photo shows typical Managers Choice presentation

 
 

Glass: Classic Malt

Colour: Light gold with a hint of sunshine

Nose: Malt and oaky wood, turning really quite leafy after 2-3 minutes. Also some hints of slightly floral hay.

Palate: Initially very creamy mouth-feel, then leafy with some light liquorice.

With 4 drops of water: Lots of leafy wood on the nose, whereas the palate is less leafy, smoother and with more fruitiness (apple & pear). A light toffee element suggests toffee apple.

Finish: Long.

Overall Impression: A very interesting change when the water is added, making it much better in my opinion too.

 

   
   

Glen Ord, The Singleton, 12y, 43% ABV

Typical cost of this bottle; €€€€€

Reviewed (blind) as part of MMA 2011

 
 

Glass: Classic Malt

Colour: Sunny amber

Nose: Lots of oaky wood with hints of furniture polish. After a few minutes a woody smokiness is detectable which after further time suggests apple (wood).

Palate: Initially very creamy mouth-feel, but it does start slowly on flavours although a woodiness combined with figs and currants does eventually develop. It also remains quite fresh.

Finish: Long.

Overall Impression: Actually a very respectable whisky. Surprisingly good.

 

   

 

  IB  

Independent Bottlings

 
   

Ord, Vintage 1970, 43% ABV

The Vintage Malt Whisky Co.

Distilled 1970, bottled 1992

Original cost of this bottle; Unknown

 
 

Glass: Classic Malt

Colour: Slightly cloudy yellow gold

Nose: Toffee, brandy snap, almost Armagnac-y aromas and yet leafy too.

Palate: A dry mouth-feel including toffee, a faint suggestion of armagnac and is that just a hint of coconut leading into the finish?

Finish: Medium to long and dry.

Overall Impression: Another insight into a bygone era, most enjoyable.

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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