North of Scotland 42 Years Old 1971 (Pearls of Scotland)

• 43.3% ABV, £127.50 for 70cl
• Score: 82/100

What they say:

A 1971 vintage North of Scotland single grain whisky released by independent bottler Pearls of Scotland. Distilled in December, it was aged for 42 years before 310 bottles were yielded in May 2014.

What I say:

Another new distillery sampled! The North of Scotland grain distillery, also known as Strathmore, was founded in 1957 on the former site of the Knox Brewery in Tullibody, Alloa. Neighboured by the nearby Cambus grain distillery, North of Scotland was closed in 1980 and demolished in 1993. This bottling is by the Pearls of Scotland and was bottle #119 of 320, distilled December 1971 and bottled May 2014.

Colour:

Rich amber gold

Nose:

Vanilla, bourbon cask influence, sweet, creamy, fruity apple and orange and some ‘aged’ acetone notes indicative of grain whisky (chemical aroma)

Taste:

Full of vanilla cream, custard and crème brulee, rather light and syrupy, some of the fruity apple and pear notes come through and are enhanced by old oaky wood

Finish:

Medium, sweet vanilla and aged oak

Overall:

Pleasing old grain whisky from an unusual/rare closed distillery

Sampled during the Jolly Jaunt to the pre-opening of the Annandale Distillery 12th October 2014