Watt Whisky North British 1991 32 year old

Posted 06 October 2023 by Matt / In North British
The Dramble reviews Watt Whisky North British 1991 32 Year old

Bottle Name: North British 1991

ABV: 50.1%
Distillery: North British
Bottler: Watt Whisky
Region: Lowlands Age: 31
Glass Weight: 489g

Ever since bottling my own well-aged North British last month, I’m finding myself hunting down as many similarly aged examples to compare and contrast with as I can get my hands on. Each one I’ve sampled of late has ticked boxes in terms of both approachability and drinkability. And on occasion that’s exactly what’s called for. Not every whisky experience needs to be either intricate or ethereal – sometimes there’s simple pleasures to be found in a dram being nothing more or less than an agreeable drinking experience.

Watt Whisky’s North British hails from a 1991 barrel left to mature for 32 years before being bottled at 50.1% ABV. 102 bottles were produced and at least one is still available via The Whisky Exchange for £104.

Nose: Immediate notes of mature grain – varnished tables, walnut and sesame oil – alongside buttered toast, cinema popcorn and crackerbread. Everything is underpinned by a strong vein of cream toffee, desiccated coconut and delicately spiced oakiness. The addition of water offers banana bread, shortbread and a creamy sense of nougat.

Taste: Wholesome. Crushed walnuts and flax oil are joined by burnt brioche, smooth toffee and asides of chocolate. The development reveals vanilla crème patisserie together with crystalised oranges, apple sauce and powdered ginger. Reduction presents sugared cereals alongside coffee and walnut cake.

Finish: Medium in length with supple oak, coconut and tingly white pepper.

Nearly all the inherent ‘gluiness’ has dropped out of this super solid three decade+ grain. Whilst increasingly we’re seeing grain whiskies stuffed into all sorts of finishing casks to add label appeal, there’s still something to be said about a ‘naked’ barrel and this Watt Whisky North British effortlessly says it.

Score: 86/100


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