Strathmill 17 Year Old 1995 Vintage (43%, Signatory, HHs #2663 & 2664, 831 Bottles, 2013)

• Category: Speyside single malt scotch whisky
• Origin: Strathmill distillery
• Bottling: Signatory
• ABV: 43%
• Cost: £35

What they say:

This independent bottling of Strathmill single malt Scotch whisky was drawn from casks 2663 and 2664 after their nice, long slumber of 17 years by Signatory in March 2013. A limited release from Signatory of 831 bottles.

What I say:

A 17 year old Strathmill bottled by Signatory from a pair of casks – usually suggestive that either alone didn’t quite make the cut but the detrimental aspects of each could be corrected by the other? perhaps 1 sweet and 1 sour maybe? Either way the result is very fine and displays plenty of good spirit character.

Colour:

Chardonnay light/bright gold (3/20), slow medium-sized droplet tears leave fine legs

Nose:

Sweet honey & a touch of icing sugar, fruity apple, pear, yeasty, bread/scones, baking, baking powder, caramel, tinned peaches, herbal sage/tarragon, fermented, cereal barley flour

Taste:

Slightly chewy texture, sweet but still yeasty, beer & cereal barley malt, honey & icing sugar sweetness, plenty of vanilla, fresh fruity apple and pear, juicy, some sour citrus, key lime pie, caramel, oak wood.

Finish:

Medium, zesty fruit & sweet oak wood

Overall:

A little but yeasty – like beer and bread, quite mealy but pleasant.

Score: 81/100

Don’t take my word for it:

Bloggers submit a link to your review