Strathisla 1965 Gordon Macphail

Strathisla New Malt Distillate

Woohoo! Another new make. My list is becoming quite long. This new make is actually commercialised by Strathisla in 350ml bottles… or is it? The bottle clearly states ‘sample only, not for re-sale’. Anyway, lovely half bottle with their distillate at 63.5%, ready to go to sleep in the cask. Let’s give it a go! Cleane nose on mashed patatoes,...

Score 60/100

Strathisla Royal Salute 21

I was a bit hesitant to try the Royal Salute 21, being wary of gimmicks and marketing led premium prices that dominate the upper end of the blends market. What I discovered was an excellent surprise! A fragrant and uncomplicated nose of pleasing aromas. The first thing you get is lemon and honey followed by a toffee sweetness. There is a faint...

Score 90/100

Strathisla 40 Year Old 1967 Gordon & Macphail

This Strathisla is of a whole other calibre. It matured for no less than four decades and was bottled by Gordon & Macphail in 2007. The nose alone is a feast. Sherry, caramel, roasted almonds and hazelnuts, Nutella chocolate spread and a leaf of mint. Some cinnamon. Slowly but surely some roast beef creeps in. Rather complex and very, very...

Score 86/100

Strathisla 12 Year Old (flat bottle)

The nose is meaty and well balanced. Smooth, malty, with a hint of peat and a little citrus. Fragrant but solid. The taste is smooth, woody and vanilla sweet with sherry notes and just a hint of spice. Gently dries the mouth. Not as meaty as the nose, but still fun. The finish is decent, full of oak, with spicy overtones and a hint of peat. This...

Score 80/100