Glentauchers (1990s Edition)
70cl / 40%
£79.00
- Malt type: Single Malt
- Region: Scotland
- Coloring: Yes
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A celebrated independent bottling era showcasing Glentauchers’ remarkable capacity for long-term refill maturation into its fourth decade.
At-a-Glance
Data focuses on the premium high-age, cask strength expressions bottled by Gordon & MacPhail (G&M).
| Field | Details |
| Distillery / Bottler / Country & Region | Glentauchers Distillery / Gordon & MacPhail (IB) / Scotland, Speyside |
| Category | Single Malt Scotch Whisky |
| Age / Vintage / Bottled | Varies (e.g., 30, 31, 33 Years Old) / 1990 / 2020 – 2023 |
| ABV & Size(s) | Varies (e.g., 49.8%, 50.4%, 53.8% Cask Strength) / 70cl |
| Cask / Treatment | Varies (e.g., Refill Sherry Puncheon #14520 or Refill American Hogshead) |
| Natural Colour | Yes (Standard for G&M Connoisseurs Choice series) |
| Non-Chill-Filtered | Yes (Standard for G&M Connoisseurs Choice series) |
| Cask Strength | Yes (For 'Cask Strength' series variants, above 46% ABV) |
| Bottle count / Outturn | Highly specific (e.g., 505 bottles for 53.8% sherry; 169 bottles for 50.4% hogshead) |
| Intended channel | Specialist Retail, Collector Markets. |
| Packaging | Modern G&M Connoisseurs Choice presentation (boxed or tubed). |
| Notes on discrepancies | Multiple releases from 1990 exist, ranging from 40% standard strength bottlings to premium 30+ year old cask strength expressions. |
Historical Context
Glentauchers, established in the Speyside region in 1897, holds a historical reputation as a critical blending distillery. The 1990 vintage represents stock distilled immediately following the recommissioning of the distillery after a silent period spanning 1985 to 1989.
The primary access point for aged Glentauchers has long been through independent bottlers (IBs). The fact that the 1990 vintage reached 30 years and beyond through IBs, most notably Gordon & MacPhail (G&M), is highly significant. This demonstrates that specialist bottlers recognized the inherent quality of the distillate, reserving it for long maturation. This preservation validates the spirit's latent potential to age gracefully.
These 1990 vintage releases often belong to the premium 'Connoisseurs Choice Cask Strength' series (bottled from 2020 onwards). This high-end strategy contrasts sharply with older G&M bottlings of the same vintage, which were often bottled much younger and at standard commercial strength (e.g., a 16-year-old at 40% ABV). The decision to release these specific casks at high strength after over three decades underscores G&M's conviction in the liquid's character at peak maturity.
Technical Specification & Variant Map
The Glentauchers 1990 vintage showcases remarkable versatility depending on the cask chosen for the extended maturation. The highest-aged and most desirable expressions are single cask bottlings with extremely limited outturns.
The spirit performs exceptionally well in refill wood, as it allows the distillate character (light, nutty, citrus) to persist. Two primary high-age variants are documented: those matured in Refill American Oak Hogsheads (e.g., 30YO at 50.4%, 169 bottles), and those matured in Refill Sherry Puncheons (e.g., 31YO at 53.8%, 505 bottles). These tight outturn figures and cask-specific ABVs are hallmarks of highly exclusive single-cask releases.
Glentauchers 1990 Vintage Variant Comparison (Selected Independent Bottlings)
| Bottler/Series | ABV | Age (Years) | Cask Type | Outturn (Bottles) | Relative desirability |
| G&M CC Cask Strength | 53.8% | 31 | Refill Sherry Puncheon #14520 | 505 | Very High (Age/Strength/Sherry Finish) |
| G&M CC Cask Strength | 50.4% | 30 | Refill American Hogshead | 169 | High (Rarity, American Oak Purity) |
| G&M CC Cask Strength | 49.8% | 31 | Refill American Hogshead #12488 | 172 | High (Rarity, American Oak Purity) |
| G&M (Older Bottling) | 40.0% | 16 | Not stated | Not stated | Medium-Low (Standard strength, early 2000s market) |
Packaging & authenticity checklist
For the modern, premium G&M Connoisseurs Choice releases (bottled post-2020), authentication relies on meticulous verification of the detailed label information, which should include the specific distillation and bottling dates, the exact age statement, the cask number (e.g., Cask #14520 for the 53.8% sherry puncheon), and the total outturn.
Buyers must confirm that the desired bottle is one of the Cask Strength expressions (typically 50% ABV and above), and not an earlier, lower-value release bottled at 40–46% ABV. The higher price points are directly tied to the superior strength and NCF/Natural Colour status of the Cask Strength series.
Regulatory/terminology notes
Gordon & MacPhail explicitly guarantees that these Cask Strength releases are Non-Chill-Filtered (NCF) and presented at Natural Colour. NCF bottling is preferred by connoisseurs as it ensures the preservation of the spirit's natural esters, oils, and lipids.
Liquid Profile (from verifiable notes)
The Glentauchers 1990 vintage is consistently praised for its refined character after prolonged aging. The flavour profile often displays high-toned complexity.
Nose: The aroma profile leans heavily towards the spirit's innate characteristics, often described as heavily citrussy, evolving into subtle lemongrass and nutty aromas. Other descriptions note a pleasant aroma of spent fireworks, preserved lemons, malt biscuits, and sweet jam notes (blackberry jam).
Palate: The taste is described as light, refined, and elegant. Specific notes include more citrus alongside pistachio, sweet marzipan, and a counterpoint of pepper. The 33-year-old expressions are noted for toasted barley and jam tarts. The overall experience is one of sustained flavour complexity without becoming overly woody.
Finish: The conclusion is typically light and delicate, with lingering notes of orange, almond, and poppy seeds.
With water: Not stated by the producer.
The prevailing characteristic of the 1990 Glentauchers is its enduring finesse. Maturing gracefully in refill casks for over 30 years allowed the inherent Speyside character—floral, nutty, and citrus-focused—to reach a deep complexity while retaining its delicacy.
Pricing & Market Dynamics (GBP)
Original RRP (GBP): The 31 Year Old (53.8%) expression, bottled in 2021, retailed for approximately GBP 680.00 in the UK.
Current UK retail range (GBP, incl. VAT): High-age (30+ YO) Cask Strength expressions generally retail in the GBP 680.00+ bracket. Younger bottlings of the same vintage (e.g., 46% ABV, non-CS) are available at a significantly lower range, around GBP 169.00 – GBP 200.00.
Recent UK/EU auction range (GBP, hammer): Lower-specification bottlings trade at a low floor price of GBP 60.00. Auction prices for the premium 30+ YO expressions are expected to settle significantly above the low-end vintage results, typically in the high hundreds.
Price Snapshot
Glentauchers 1990 Vintage Price Snapshot (G&M Releases)
| Channel | Date | Bottle spec | Price (GBP) | Notes |
| UK Retail (High Age) | Current Estimate | G&M CC 31YO 53.8% | 680.00 | High-end specialist price for mature Cask Strength |
| Auction (Online) | Historical | G&M 40% (Bottled 2006) | 60.00 | Floor price for entry-level G&M vintage Glentauchers |
| UK Retail (Standard) | Current Estimate | G&M Standard Range (46%) | 169.00 – 200.00 | Mid-range price point for younger 1990 vintage |
Pricing stratification: Value is highly sensitive to bottling strength and age. The premium 30+ year old Cask Strength versions command a price multiple of up to 10 times that of the earlier, standard-strength G&M bottlings.
Liquidity & sourcing note: Liquidity is constrained by the small outturns. Sourcing requires access to specialist retailers or auction houses dealing in high-end independent bottlings.
Distillery/Bottler Snapshot
Gordon & MacPhail’s involvement as the bottler is a vital element of this product’s validation. As the most established independent bottler, G&M possesses unparalleled access to mature stocks and a reputation for releasing single malts only when they have reached optimum condition. The 1990 Glentauchers Cask Strength releases serve as a testament to the distiller's potential when paired with G&M’s strategic, decades-long maturation programme.
Sourcing
Target formats must exclusively be the high-age, high-strength releases from G&M's Connoisseurs Choice Cask Strength series, prioritizing specific cask numbers that denote refill sherry or American oak influence (e.g., #14520).
Red flags to avoid are bottlings of the 1990 vintage below 46% ABV, or any lacking the explicit NCF and Natural Colour statements. Given the recent bottling dates (post-2020), condition thresholds demand pristine packaging and fill levels (high shoulder/base of neck).
Velocity is moderate due to strong demand for highly aged Speyside malt. Margin expectations are high, reflective of the controlled supply and premium positioning of this limited stock.
