Strathmill too is back on WF


August 26, 2024

Strathmill too is back on WF

Strathmill

Part of an old advertisement for Gilbey's Strathmill that is often reproduced
in posters and the like. We're not sure if it's genuinely authentic,
but we find it pretty amusing.

And we have a really old one, which we'll start with since its alcohol content is relatively low.

Strathmill 1988/2023 (43.2%, Malts of Scotland, Rare Casks, bourbon hogshead, cask #MoS 23024, 162 bottles)

That’s more or less 35 years if my calculations are correct. These old Strathmills are indeed a rare find. Colour: straw. Nose: a beautifully aged cask that has held up wonderfully, with ripe banana, vanilla cake, light honey, pollen, a hint of chamomile tea, and a touch of papaya. There’s not a hint of harshness, just pure elegance. After a few moments, a note of pink grapefruit emerges. Mouth: the same delicate profile, with banana, honey, ripe apples, fresh grapes, syrupy peaches, and a touch of woodruff syrup and mullein. Finish: medium length, but sweet and delightfully fruity, with muesli, a bit of nougat, and fresh pineapple. Comments: a lot of sweetness but no weakness in this lovely old Strathmill, which at times can evoke an old cognac.
SGP:541 - 89 points.

Come on, youngsters...

Strathmill 12 yo 2011/2024 (51%, Asta Morris, bourbon, cask #AM159)

I’ve heard that the addition of frogs on the labels by our Belgian friends is a sort of hidden tribute to the French football team, though I haven’t the faintest proof. Colour: white wine. Nose: deeply rooted in barley, barley sugar, and brown sugar, with overripe apples, shortbread, and those irresistible, butter-laden Breton biscuits that you simply can’t put down. Pack opened; pack emptied. Rather like this delightful young Strathmill—bottle opened; bottle emptied. With water: even more of those biscuits, oatcakes, and madeleines… Mouth (neat): a touch rustic this time, with green wood, leafy notes, green tea, and Breton cider apples, there. Water should soften it. With water: indeed, baked apples, oranges, Earl Grey, and vanilla cake all come together to mellow it out. Finish: of medium length, with tea and liquorice wood. Comments: very pleasant, very natural, purely focused on barley and malt.
SGP: 551 - 86 points.

Strathmill 12 yo 2011/2024 (58.38%, James Eadie, first fill European oak oloroso butt finish, cask #367496, 725 bottles)

A 23-month finish in oloroso casks here. 725 bottles, cask strength from a single butt—that’s rather impressive! It’s over 500 litres, more or less the full capacity of a butt, so I imagine the angels were a bit lazy and didn’t really take their share over those 23 months. Colour: full gold. Nose: lots of shoe polish, chocolate, and ground coffee remnants, followed by juniper, orange marmalade, black tea, and just the tiniest hint of soy sauce. I’m looking for flaws (as one does), but I can’t find any. I adore the polish notes. With water: no significant changes, though a much-anticipated walnut cake emerges. Mouth (neat): excellent. Black pepper, chocolate, coffee liqueur, cloves, and a few prunes. With water: more dried fruits—figs, dates, raisins, and a touch of coriander seed. Finish: long, very clean, with a streamlined sherry profile. Comments: very good, the perfect companion to the AM.
SGP:561 - 86 points.

It would be rather nice to have these three Strathmills in your bar, to demonstrate to your guests the precise effects of both sherry and extended ageing on a very classic malt distillate with no particularly sharp edges – or asperities.

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