Today Littlemill 1989


May 3, 2022

Little Duos, today Littlemill 1989
Remember those late 1980s – early 1990s indie Littlemills that took maltdom by storm a few years back, together with some 'secret Northern Irish' from similar vintages that were total fruit bombs too? Well, apparently, there's more…

Littlemill 31 yo 1989/2021 (48.7%, Whisky Mew, Carsten Ehrlich & Hideo Yamaoka for Bar Barns & The Mash Tun Tokyo, hogshead, cask #171, 223 bottles)

There's a lot of data on the back label but it's all written in Japanese, which is normal mind you. Anyway, gentlemen, if I may say so, start your mangos and your bananas!… (and don't get me wrong.) Colour: gold. Nose: indeed, indeed, some wonderful fruity notes, 2/3 tropical and 1/3 from temperate orchards. As expected, mangos and bananas, plus guavas and papayas (expected as well), plus very ripe pears and plums, then a little custard and a wee grassy touch that'll prevent this baby from getting too much over the top, as far as fruitiness goes. I just can't see who could be against this. Mouth: it is not impossible that the citrusy part of this extravagant basket of fruits would have grown even larger over the years from, say 25 to 30 years old. In any case, there are more tangerines and grapefruits in this, and rather less, err, bananas. Some passion fruits for sure, as well as, perhaps, a little more fresh oak/green tea. Quite some custard too. It was most certainly the right time to bottle this, if I may humbly say so. Finish: medium, with more grapefruit pips and liquorice wood. Comments: it is rather fascinating to witness the advent of a tipping point in a longer maturation. Great fruity drop, in any case.
SGP:651 - 89 points.

Littlemill 32 yo 1989/2022 (55.2%, The Whisky Agency, hogshead, 216 bottles)

This is some pure Whisky Agency. I mean, it is The Whisky Agency for The Whisky Agency. Oh well, I know what I'm trying to say. Colour: light gold. Nose: this time again, a little more mentholy and piney tones have wormed their way into this extravagant fruity combo. A little more chalk too, for the better as usual. Other than that, passion fruits, mangos and pink grapefruits are running the show. With water: chalk is further up, in a Sancerre kind of way. Mouth (neat): pure citrusy goodness, plus maracuja. Not much to add, this has remained perfectly fresh and zesty. With water: once again, some chalk chiming in, even aspirin and matcha tea powders. Geared towards limeness. Finish: really long, sharp, extremely well carved. Very lemony aftertaste. Comments: this one reminds you that Littlemill was a Lowlander. Some sides were reminiscent of Rosebank and even St. Magdalene.
SGP:651 - 90 points.

Brilliant Littlemills, both of them, as expected.

Check the index of all Littlemill we've tasted so far