Young Strathmill at both ends of the spectrum


January 19, 2024

WF's Little Duos, today excellent young Strathmill at both ends of the spectrum

Not for the average beginner ! Indeed, we continue to taste obscure and even unknown names as much as we can. It's always a pleasure because even if they're not much in demand by the thirsty masses, by definition these distilleries are much rarer than the blue chips that everyone knows and drinks. On the other hand, I was again reminded that 'Strathmill', for example, was bad for our SEO. But by Zeus and Toutatis, we don't give a hoot (oh, S.!) And I would always prefer, philosophically at least, a Strathmill over a Secret Speyside from the hamlets of Dufftown, Ballindalloch, or Craigellachie.

Strathmill 2010/2022 (54.3%, C.S. James for The National Choice, Taiwan, sherry octave, 66 bottles)

More micro-outturn, more fun. One could assume that with AI and connected laser printers, you could now create in no time unique bottles, 1 of 1, with various designs. Choose your own theme! Like cats, cars, or Scarlett Johansson. With a little extra for Scarlett Johansson. Colour: deep gold. Nose: right between a fino and an amontillado sherry. Very nice notes of walnuts, mild curry, radishes, wet chalk, moss, and mushrooms, pipe tobacco... And mustard. With water: more of all this, especially wet earth, humus, old branches and stumps, and mushrooms of all kinds. Mouth (neat): rich yet taut, with green pepper and walnuts, a few drops of sherry vinegar, very dark honey, some instant coffee (no brands), hints of chocolate, very dry Madeira notes... It can be enjoyed calmly, without water, but... With water: excellent. Walnut liqueur, tobacco, mustard, pepper, and very, very dry sherry. Finish: the same for a good while. Fresh mint and a bit of marjoram in the aftertaste. Comments: a very nice job by that wonderful octave. And by the young Strathmill, of course.
SGP:461 - 87 points.

Strathmill 11 yo 2009/2021 (59.9%, Blackadder, 25 Years of Blackadder, Raw Cask, hogshead, cask #80752, 299 bottles)

Darn it, it seems we missed the 25th Anniversary of Blackadder. So, a very Happy Anniversary, Robin, albeit three years late, or a bit less. And since we like to quote or paraphrase Black Adder from time to time, let's see if 'eternity in the company of Beelzebub and all his hellish instruments of death will be a picnic compared to five minutes with this whisky'. Colour: white wine. Nose: the opposite of The National Choice, as expected. Heavy on chalk and green apple, then freshly mown grass. At almost 60% ABV, there's not much else to detect, for now. With water, then: a lot of rhubarb and gooseberry, more anise and fennel. It's really very green and refreshing. Mouth (neat): pure barley spirit. Grass, apple juice, lemon peel, pancake batter, porridge, and clay. It keeps sending shivers down your spine, as they sometimes say. With water: few changes. A malt whisky completely in its natural state. Finish: long, as taut as a bow string, with lime and pepper. Comments: a cunning malt that snaps nicely. We pray that independents like Blackadder continue to offer this style.
SGP:661 - 86 points.

Check the index of Strathmill we've tasted so far