Glenborrodale 8 years Batch Release no 2 Adelphi Blended Malt Scotch Whisky 46%

Batch 2 is early in the run. Adelphi was still working out what Glenborrodale should be at that point, so the early releases carry a different character from the later ones — more straightforward, less polished.

The expert's description

Glenborrodale 8 Year Old Batch Release no 2 is a Blended Malt Scotch Whisky from Adelphi, bottled at 46%.

Eight years is the age Adelphi returned to several times in the early releases of the range. It is long enough for the cask to have rounded the spirit off, and short enough for the malt character still to lead. The whisky is a marriage of single malts from several Scottish distilleries, with no grain whisky.

Adelphi has an unusual history. The distillery was founded in 1826 by the Clyde on the edge of Glasgow and closed in the early twentieth century. The name lay dormant for almost a century until a descendant of one of the former owners revived it in 1993 — this time as an independent bottler rather than a distillery.

Tasting notes

Nose

Malt and baked apples, with vanilla and a dry cereal note behind. Simple and direct rather than layered.

Palate

Firm and malt-driven. Honey, apple and pale caramel, with a spice that arrives late. The body is good at 46%, and there is a dryness running the whole way through.

Finish

Medium. Malt and dry oak, with a lightly peppery close.

Specifications

Name: Glenborrodale 8 Year Old Batch Release no 2 Adelphi Blended Malt Scotch Whisky 46%
Bottler: Adelphi
Region/Country: Scotland
Type: Blended Malt Scotch Whisky
Age: 8 years
ABV: 46%
Size: 70 CL
Edition: Glenborrodale Batch Release no 2

Flavour profile

Malty · Fruity · Dry · Spiced · Direct

Did you know?

Adelphi began as an actual distillery by the River Clyde in Glasgow in 1826. It closed in the early twentieth century, and the name lay unused for almost a hundred years until a descendant of the old owners started it up again in 1993 — as a bottler, not as a distillery.

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Frequently asked questions about Glenborrodale 8 Year Old Batch Release no 2

What was Adelphi originally?

A distillery in Glasgow, founded in 1826 by the River Clyde. It closed in the early twentieth century, and only in 1993 was the name taken up again — this time by a descendant who started the firm as an independent bottler.

How does Batch 2 differ from the later releases?

It is earlier in the run and more straightforward. Later batches have been both older and more sherried, where Batch 2 sticks to a dry, malt-driven profile. It is the same idea in an earlier form.

Does Adelphi own a distillery today?

Yes. Adelphi built the Ardnamurchan distillery on the west coast of Scotland and brought it into production in 2014. It is the most westerly distillery on the Scottish mainland, and the names in the Glenborrodale range are taken from the same country.

Is a blended malt inferior to a single malt?

No, it is a different thing. A blended malt consists entirely of malt from several distilleries, and a skilled blender can build a profile no single malt could hit. It is a deliberate choice here, not a fallback. See the other Scottish styles in our Scotch Whisky selection.

How many bottles were made?

The outturn is not stated for this particular batch. Adelphi Glenborrodale releases typically run between one thousand and fifteen hundred bottles, but the figure varies from batch to batch.

How is it best enjoyed?

Neat, in a tulip-shaped glass. At 46% it does not need water, and the dry malt profile comes through most clearly without. Give it five minutes in the glass before you judge it.

Is it peated?

Not noticeably. The blend runs to malt and fruit, and any peat is so far back that most people will not register it. If you want smoke, there are better places to look.