Strathisla 1967 / 40 Year Old / Cask #1894

Nose:...rather big waxy, mineral and grassy (and minty) notes besides the yellow flowers and pollen. Also hints of old leather, cigarette tobacco and eucalyptus, with the oakiness growing a little bolder after that. We get even more eucalyptus after a moment, as well as a little camphor and marzipan. This one is complex and pretty ‘sculptural’ – that is to say excellent. Let’s see whether the palate will match the nose…

Mouth: starts on quite a lot of oak but an excellent one, mingling perfectly with notes of cough medicine, eucalyptus, resin, soft spices, apricots… Perfect tannins and perfect balance.

Finish: the oak really takes the lead but as it’s very good oak, we won’t complain. Mentholated aftertaste.

Comments: an excellent example of a big oakiness that’s extremely pleasant, which doesn’t happen that often. Deserves one or two extra-points just for that. SGP:461 – 91 points. (but warning, this one is for oak-lovers only!)