A 26 year old Strathmill distilled on 10th May 1991 and matured in an refill ex-Bourbon hogshead. One of 234 bottles. Spicy & Sweet profile.
Nose: Delicate florals and cologne. Initially a touch shy, this opens greatly after a little resting and presents violets, fresh cotton sheets, reeds and flax together with candied peels and fresh berries. Adding water really brings out the age of this whisky emphasising wood and varnish.
Taste: Heavily perfumed and packed full of florals – violets, jasmine, lilies and potpourri (reminding me of the sweet-smelling paper that you might write a love letter on) are joined by gentle vanilla and toffee, astringent oat and a sprinkle of salt. The addition of water adds fruitiness and spice to the equation with apples, pears and ginger.
Finish: Medium to long, drying and oaky.
This Strathmill is fruity and highly floral, but also deceptively oaky after 26 years of maturation. It all honestly it’s really not my preferred style of whisky, but it’s undeniably high quality and if you enjoyed the strongly perfumed side of things then there’s lots to enjoy here. It takes water very well indeed, offering enhanced fruitiness and cask influence without ever losing its underlying floral character.