Tag: 35 years

Imperial 1976 35 years Old Malt Cask 50%

Matured in a refill butt, bottled 2011, DL Ref 7431.

I’m expecting to find this too oaky, considering its age, so let’s see if that’s a self-fulfilling prophesy or not.

imperialsNose: Vanilla and orange peel, malt and melon. With water oak and bitter, dark chocolate. After some time in the glass it develops more fruitiness and I am put in mind of Jucy Fruit chewing gum.

Palate: Tobacco smoke, oak, cinnamon bark. More bitter with water, still with a rather strange smokiness. The bitterness disappears after some time in the glass, but is replaced by something plastic-ish.

Comments: An odd thing. Not too oaky in the way I expected, at least, but still not entirely pleasant.

Thanks to StianT for the sample.

Rare Ayrshire 1975 35 years Signatory Cask Strength 45.5%

Distilled 21.02.1975, bottled 05.08.2010, matured in an ex-bourbon cask with cask number 553.

It’s an open secret that Signatory’s Rare Ayrshire contains single malt from Ladyburn, but they are not allowed to state so on the label.

rareayrshire

Nose: Shortbread, honey. With water I get tart apples and after a while vanilla and sherbet powder.

Palate: Fruity oak, maltiness. More apple pie with water.

Comments: Not bad at all, though less complex than I could wish for.

Glenturret 1977 35 years The Nectar 46,2 %

Nose: Vanilla, baked apples. The apples turn greener and fresher with water and I also find menthol notes.

Palate: Oaky bitterness, oak perfume, vanilla, baked apples, especially on the finish. More malt with water, and pears.

Comment: Probably the best Glenturret I’ve tasted. There is little to criticise except it’s a bit boring.