Glenalba 25 Years Madeira Finish
If you think Lidl is just for the weekly shop, then you haven't tried the Glenalba 25 Year Madeira Finish. This whisky is like a well-aged leather book: full of stories that are yet to be discovered.
The panel
Mean 76.0 · spread 2
Value for money 4/5
- Distillery
- Glenalba
- Type
- Blended Whisky
- Country
- Scotland
- Age
- 25 years
- Strength
- 41.4% ABV
- Character
- rich
Tasting
Nose
It is clear from the first sniff that this whisky has a lot to offer. The nose is greeted by a bouquet of sweet sultanas and a vinous note reminiscent of a well-aged port wine. A slight leatheriness resonates - as if you had just tracked down an old Chesterfield armchair. Dark berries dance alongside, bringing with them an underlying acidity that balances the whisky wonderfully. A hint of chocolate and coffee grounds mingle, accompanied by a nutty flavour reminiscent of roasted nuts. Almost dusty, with a hint of grain.
Palate
In the mouth, the Glenalba 25 years unfolds in all its splendour. Grape must and juicy cherries dominate the first impression, followed by a seductive combination of grape-nut-chocolate and rum-chocolate. It's like sinking into a cosy leather sofa - soft yet with structure. The beautiful oak adds a pleasant woodiness to the whole.
Finish
The finish is of medium length. The subtle oak notes linger on the tongue for a while, while coffee chocolate and a hint of nutmeg round off the flavour profile. This demonstrates the true art of distillation - not too overpowering, but not too restrained either.
Verdicts
Marcel
The Glenalba 25 Year Madeira Finish is a real mood booster for the living room – sweet, with a touch of leather and dark chocolate that’s just plain fun. Sure, it feels a bit thin in places, but hey, considering the price and availability, that’s almost forgivable. Absolutely recommend it for a relaxed evening with friends!
Sascha
With a balanced interplay of sweet fruitiness and subtle oak notes, the Glenalba 25 Year Madeira Finish shows a solid structure, though it somewhat lacks depth. The finish is medium-length and harmonious, even if the complexity doesn’t quite keep pace with its age. Overall, a good whisky with potential that scores well on an attractive price-performance ratio.
What it is worth
No auction record for this distillery, so we cannot tell you what this bottle is worth. We would rather say that than guess.