Review: SMWS 73.60 Watching the Monaco Grand Prix from a roof terrace

Aultmore 24 Years Old 1989 single malt scotch whisky

57% ABV

£92.40 buy from SMWS

Score: 88/100

What they say:

Cask No. 73.60

Very deep aromas on the nose neat; beeswax furniture polish on a soft cloth, cedar lined Art Deco cigarette box, rosewood scented stationary, mead flavoured with spices, pastrami and always the smell of strong espresso coffee in the background. The taste is that of walnut oil, salty almonds, and buttered sour dough but at the same time green apples, floral blossoms and a bright finish like a delightfully refreshing Pinot Grigio. With water aromas of treacle toffee, coconut fragrant sun tan lotion and ever so often the hint of burnt tyre on hot tarmac. The taste is coffee cream and walnut cupcakes, Tiramisu and honeyed mead bread with salted butter.

Drinking tip: Spring time in Monaco or celebrating Indian Summer in Scotland

Date Distilled: 31 May 1989 Colour: Topaz Age: 24 years years Flavour : Deep, rich & fruity Cask Type: Refill ex-sherry butt Whisky Region: Speyside Deveron

Outturn: 509 bottles

What I say:

Sampled at the Glasgow whisky festival 2013

Colour:

Russet amber gold (11/20)

Nose:

A little sulphury, bicycle tyres and rubber inner tubes, barley malt, oaty and honey sweet flapjack or rye bread, a little leather, plenty of soft ripe fruits, apple, pear, orange, peach, with citrus lemon and lime, leafy green and floral blossom, nutty overstewed coffee

Taste:

Sweet, brown sugar, syrup and treacle, baked fruits apple pie and pear tart, the rubberyness creeps in a little again with some tannic leather and more dried, stone fruits and raisins, still citric elements with a dash of lemon and lime juice and zest then rich, moist and dark coffee and walnut cake

Finish:

Medium-long, tannic and a little drying nutty and rich dark fruit

Overall:

A delicious old Aultmore expression sometimes a little at odds with itself as the spirit nature is easily overpowered in places by the sherry maturation. Despite the rubbery and sulphuric elements in this one I found the whole dram lively and entertaining.