Strathmill on the table


April 19, 2024

WF's Little Duos, today Strathmill on the table

Another of these distilleries that are rather well-known for supplying some major blended brands with 'fillers', so to speak, thus providing the base malt without too deviant a character. And yet, we do enjoy tasting these slightly lesser-known malts as often as possible, as they can grant us with excellent surprises.

Strathmill 15 yo 2008/2023 (56.9%, Gordon & MacPhail, Connoisseurs Choice, for Kirsch Import, refill bourbon barrel, cask #804815, 141 bottles)

With its fine age and a true refill barrel, one would expect to be close to the heart of the distillate. And perhaps a bit overwhelmed at 100 proof, let's check that that. Colour: straw. Nose: quite lovely, with fresh barley, cut hay, vanilla, orgeat syrup, rice pudding, marshmallows... It's hard to get more natural than this. With water: similar, just with a bit more of sweet citrus, orange syrup... Mouth (neat): strong, leaning towards lemony hops, rather strong beer, white pepper, a touch of wasabi, vanilla... It burns very slightly and also becomes quite bitter (Italian bitters). With water: everything falls into place, with a return of our friend limoncello, lemon balm water and sweets, well, lemon candies. Finish: fairly long, with a comeback of barley and some assorted fruit candies. Tea and a bit of cider in the aftertaste. Comments: a bit anonymous, but exactly a very, very good 'filler', capable of supporting a great blend.
SGP:561 - 85 points.

Strathmill 27 yo 1996/2023 (55.7%, Maltbarn, Seventies, sherry cask, 141 bottles)

Stunning new label designs, whether you experienced the late '60s and early '70s or not. Somewhere between an Emerson Lake & Palmer album cover and a Soviet Olympic Games poster. Very classy, without being cheaply retro. Off to a good start... Colour: deep gold. Nose: some cask! Extraordinary lighter pipe tobacco, old walnuts, indeed pure dry sherry (fino-esque), miso soup, hints of black (fermented) garlic… Well, this is shaping up to be quite the distinguished affair so far. With water: softer, on apples and pears, walnut cake, those slightly more intense honeys we so love (fir, chestnut). Mouth (neat): here it becomes quite rowdy without water. Loads of pepper, very bitter oranges, bitter almonds, capsicum, new leather... Water should be a great help. With water: it continues to flirt with bitterness, with notes of amaro, Cynar, pepper... Finish: the same, lasting a good while. Bitter orange in the aftertaste, and of course walnuts. Comments: the nose is absolutely sublime and ensures a high score; the palate is somewhat more confrontational.
SGP:461 - 88 points.

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