Glen Elgin (2008/2020) - Sansibar
Sometimes you come across a whisky that makes you wonder: ‘Why exactly was this bottled?’ The Glen Elgin 2008/2020 from Zanzibar is such a case. With a whopping 58.7% ABV, it comes across as a powerhouse - but unfortunately there is little substance behind the impressive figure.
The panel
Mean 69.0 · spread 0
Value for money 1/5
- Distillery
- Glen Elgin
- Bottler
- Sansibar
- Type
- Single Malt
- Region
- Speyside
- Country
- Scotland
- Strength
- 58.7% ABV
- Character
- delicate
Tasting
Nose
To be honest: the nose gives hope. Nougat meets vanilla, plus an interesting herbal note with sage and a hint of herbal tea. There is also a hint of pear, which adds a certain freshness. Everything has been good so far - but unfortunately it doesn't stop there.
Palate
Sobering. Yes, there is vanilla. Yes, it's creamy. But then? Then... Nothing. Thin on the palate, as if someone had forgotten to fill it with flavours. A little light fruity sweetness, but overall? Boring.
Finish
The finish? Juicy, slightly vanilla-like, a hint of oak. Sounds nice, but doesn't linger. It's gone as quickly as it comes - as if it's in a hurry to shirk its responsibilities.
Verdicts
Marcel
At first glance, the Glen Elgin 2008/2020 scores points with its robust alcohol strength, but unfortunately, it proves to be a disappointment in terms of flavor. Where are the exciting aromas that invite you to enjoy? For anyone looking for a full-bodied whisky, this one is rather a letdown – not even a dash of vanilla can save it.
Sascha
Despite a solid 58.7% ABV, the Glen Elgin 2008/2020 shows an unbalanced aroma profile with a weak flavor and a flat finish. The promised complexity is missing, making the whisky noticeably weaker in terms of balance and depth than expected. For lovers of well-balanced Speyside whiskies, this bottling is hardly recommendable.
What it is worth
We do not yet hold bottle-level auction results — that sits behind Whisky Hunter’s authenticated feed. What follows is the market for Glen Elgin as a whole, which sets the weather for this bottling without pricing it.
Latest mean bid £122 across 53 lots · 2024-08