Strathisla 1965 Cask #3473

The Strathisla distillery has a beautiful scenery. Isn't it spectacular.

This bottle was exclusively bottled for La Maison du Whisky. It is one of the entries at the Malt Maniacs Awards for 2011. Let's find out how good it is, before the results are announced on 1 Dec.

Colour: Red mahogany
Aroma: Dried raisins and prunes. Coffee, not black. Some pipe tobacco.
Taste: Christmas cake baked with all the dried fruits (raisins, prunes, cranberries, orange peel, currrants) and nuts (ground almonds). Some spices at the end. By the way, it is quite like an old cognac too. Matured in a sherry cask for 45 years old. Not too much oak despite the age. Absolutely stunning! For me, this is one of the best sherried single malt whisky I've tried.
Rating: 92/100

Update: This baby won a Gold Medal in the Malt Maniacs Awards for 2011. Well done once again, Lmdw!

Benromach, Strathisla and Nikka Taketsuru

Benromach 25 Years Old, Official bottling, 43%
Colour: Straw
Aroma: Hmmm... not much going on here. Some vanilla and roasted nuts.
Taste: Some peppers. Hints of bitter chocolate. The finish isn't long and there is no depth either. It's going nowhere for me.
Rating: 79/100
Comments: Proof that older doesn't necessarily mean better. The style of this whisky is quite close to the Macallan 'Fine Oak' series. No Benromach has really wowed me yet.

Strathisla 1968/2010, Gordon & MacPhail, 50%
Colour: Gold
Aroma: Some honey and fruit jams. Then almonds and pine nuts.
Taste: You can taste the oak here but in an oily and smooth way. Bitterness from cooked and smashed garlic. Some orange peel. Almonds again. Melted butter. Fabulous!
Rating: 89/100
Comments: Very unusual to find bourbon matured Strathisla by this great independent bottler, especially at that age!

Nikka 21 Years Old Taketsuru, 43%
Colour: Gold
Aroma: Oak and vanilla. Then immediately honey. Whiffs of cocoa powder and orchid flowers. Very good and kind.
Taste: Creamy. Some salted almonds. Some thin, dried seaweed sheets. Unripe honeydew melon.
Rating: 88/100
Comments: I can drink this well crafted japanese whisky all day long! This blend is made using the malt whiskies from the Yoichi and Miyagikyo distilleries. So easily drinkable with sashimi and sushi.