Strathmill 25 Year Old 1988 Special Release 2014 Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Lots of firsts with this interesting Strathmill 25 Year Old!

This is the first extra matured bottling to be made by the original distillers, also the first in this series of Special Editions.

Only 2,700 bottles worldwide.

Appearance: The clear, bright gold of watery sunlight. Delicate pin-point beading
•Nose: Understated, yet vibrant overall and captivating, starting tart and fruity with the delicate wild, floral high notes of a rowan jelly or elderflower cordial. After a while these fresher aromas soften and merge into a sweet stewed fruit compote. Later, there are notes of biscuit or cereal, and on further opening orange oil, a little stewed apple and crisp, white grapes. There’s a very pure and elegant structure throughout. Water softens and slightly sweetens the overall aroma but it’s no less complex, as Speyside traits and a trace of eucalyptus now emerge
•Body: Medium
•Palate: Creamy and coating. After the nose, the beeswax and ripe red apple sweetness of the first taste is surprising, yet there is a green, earthy note behind, with a trace of liquorice or raisins and aged, dried fruit. For a moment, a welcome, rich, dark-chocolate smoothness takes over, then drying notes of cough candy and clove prevail. With water the taste becomes fresher, with a little vanilla, and cooler, as that eucalyptus aroma translates into menthol on the palate
•Finish: Long, with aromatic and drying black teas, and oak shavings. Water eases a little of the dryness and releases menthol and more clove notes. Resinous and warming too, with a rising, charred, astringency.

Tasting notes courtesy of Diageo.