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| Hello, that is considered one of our (virtually) day by day tastings. Santé! |
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September 3, 2024
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Outdated Tigers: A Farewell or a Celebration?
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To be trustworthy, I’m undecided. We’ve these 4 outdated malts, all from distilleries which have been closed for forty years, and so they’re on their own in our shares, with no sparring companions from the identical distilleries obtainable to organise a correct comparative session as we love to do. Does this imply we’ve misplaced hope of discovering any extra?
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Glenugie Distillery, 1958 (Wiki) |
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Definitely not, and I’m certain we’ll purchase others from the identical distilleries earlier than lengthy (the taster’s model of Murphy’s Legislation), however nonetheless, nothing is definite. difficult. Let’s see…So right this moment, we’re going to check a Banff (1863-1983), a Dallas Dhu (1899-1983), a Glenugie (1831-1983), and a Millburn (1807-1985), one thing that’s extremely uncommon for WF. In essence, that is the counterpart to our ‘New Cats’ tastings, which is why we’re calling this session ‘Outdated Tigers’, even when it does sound a bit like Indian whisky stuff. Maybe we’ll have extra ‘Outdated Tigers’ periods like this sooner or later, who is aware of… In any case, right this moment we’re anticipating two potential fruit bombs, and two possible malts which might be, let’s say, extra
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Glenugie 18 yo 1959/1977 (80° UK proof, Cadenhead, black dumpy, 26 2/3 Fl.Ozs) 
By W.M. Cadenhead of Aberdeen and their outdated woman. Simply to remind you, 80° UK proof equals 46% vol. (nicely, 45.7%). No, this bottling power is hardly a latest innovation, regardless of what some may recommend. Glenugie usually reminds us of Lochside, additional down the East Coast, when in our glass. In different phrases, we like its fruitiness. By the best way, we have tasted this marvel earlier than, however that was in 2006, and naturally, it was a special bottle. Let’s preserve this temporary… Color: straw. Nostril: these coppery and chalky touches so typical of those bottles, adopted by a cascade of stewed or compotéed fruits, accented with resinous and camphor notes. It’s terribly compact but complicated, paying homage to a grand classic Meursault by a Spitzen winemaker. Mouth: one hardly is aware of the place to start. There’s a medicinal aspect, a touch of metallic, fairly a salty broth, then all of the oranges, small berries, apples, and odd fruits from lands nonetheless unknown to Man (and Donlad J.). It’s vital to stay seated whereas tasting this type of glory. End: lengthy, fairly medicinal and waxy, but all these fruits stay. It’s magnificent. Extraordinary aftertaste of chutneys and sweet-and-sour fruits. Peaches? Feedback: I’m not solely certain, nevertheless it’s the primary time I’ve famous similarities with outdated Laphroaig bottles. I gave it 93 in 2006, however I used to be nonetheless hoping to search out fairly just a few even higher whiskies. Thus…
SGP:652 – 94 factors. |
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Banff 15 yo 1964/1979 (80° UK proof, Cadenhead, black dumpy, 26 2/3 Fl.Ozs) 
One other one from the Aberdeen period. I consider that is the primary time I’m tasting a 1964 Banff. I’ve at all times discovered this distillery to be extra famend for its misadventures (fires, bombings) than for its malt, which, nonetheless, may very well be magical when not too weakened by low strengths and overly exaggerated caramel. Color: straw. Nostril: a bit extra drained than the Glenugie, with notes of tinplate, outdated metallic field, however then it’s aged white wines that take the lead. Easy Sylvaners or Pinot Blancs come to thoughts, however from good producers. Ripe apples, white raisins, a slight chalky word… and a contact of polish. Gentle polish, thoughts you. Mouth: it’s brisker, livelier, with extra citrus and orchard fruits, which brings it nearer to the Glenugie. Some outdated raisins too, those that lingered in that well-known tin field from the nostril. The background stays ‘outdated dumpy’, with metallic, wax, and chalk. End: fairly lengthy, a bit extra herbaceous. A contact of inexperienced pepper. Feedback: we’ve tasted more moderen Banff vintages that have been extra stellar, however I used to be happy to style this 1964, that’s for certain. Excellent outdated whisky, maybe a bit outshone by the Glenugie.
SGP:462 – 88 factors. |
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Millburn 1974 (56.3%, The Traditional Whisky Guild, +/-2002)
Each Cadenhead and G&M have had a few of these 1974s. To be trustworthy, I’ve by no means heard of The Traditional Whisky Guild, and I wonder if it’s the whisky or the guild that was thought-about traditional. Hmm. Anyway, among the many three Inverness distilleries – the others being Glen Mhor and Glen Albyn, as you already know – Millburn was maybe the least recognized. However I recall a 1974 from the mid-2000s by Cadenhead that was moderately magical (WF 92). Agreed, let’s skip the chatter… Color: pale gold. Nostril: ah! Beeswax and outdated apples from the cellar, wildflower honey, pollen, outdated champagne, apricot cream… actually, it smells implausible, except water ruins all of it. With water: by no means, after all. Honey, peach cream, bellini, beeswax. Mouth (neat): it’s good. There’s even smoked ham (the quirky aspect of Inverness malts), in any other case all these marvellous issues from a beehive, plus pink pepper and the well-known mirabelle + quince duo that’s adorned, even adorned, many nice malts. Like outdated Balvenies or sure HPs. End: sport, set, and match. High-notch… and guess what, that smoked ham remains to be there. Unbelievable. Feedback: Cadenhead?
SGP:662 – 93 factors. |
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Dallas Dhu 31 yo 1980/2012 (60.2%, Signatory Classic, hogshead, cask #2106, 196 bottles)
Signatory had fairly just a few Dallas Dhus. Now, whether or not Dallas Dhu is a useless and buried distillery or if these well-known revitalisation initiatives we’ve heard about are nonetheless on the playing cards stays unsure. On the time of writing, it appears Aceo (Murray McDavid) is set to restart manufacturing as early as subsequent yr, which is good news, confirmed by their companions, Historic Atmosphere Scotland (aka Historic Scotland). Within the meantime… Color: gold. Nostril: maybe probably the most discreet of the 4, however at over 60% ABV, that’s virtually anticipated. Some overripe apples, prunes, honeyed touches, panettone, hints of contemporary cement, and gauze… With water: oddly, not a lot change. A little bit of putty, propolis, hints of rubber… Mouth (neat): fairly explosive, a bit chaotic (from lemon to cement) however actually intriguing. Massive citrusy energy. With water: it’s actually one thing. Propolis dissolved in lime juice, with outright new make notes. Unbelievable and, finally, moderately mental. Plum brandy. End: very lengthy, as soon as once more with honey, or moderately mead, blended with that well-known plum brandy, and once more that cement within the aftertaste. Feedback: fairly the journey, this Dallas Dhu. I actually prefer it, nevertheless it has an ‘artwork home’ vibe, I’d say. I’ll attempt to observe down some extra outdated ‘licensed’ Dallas Dhu from G&M, as I don’t actually know Dallas Dhu very nicely. It’s good to have targets, they are saying.
SGP:562 – 89 factors. |
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(Thanks Billy, Geert and different mates)
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