Haig Dimple Pinch 12 YO 1970s

The reviewed bottle has a US tax stamp discontinued in 1978. The bottle was opened 4 months ago and is 90% full. This blended Scotch whisky is 12 years old. Thanks to Lara Supan for the reviewed sample

Nose: wonderfully bright sharp barley, with a second wave of sweet-edged varnish and toffee. This nose is quite attention-catching, but strangely seems somewhat like the ultra-oaky nose of Pappy Van Winkle 23 YO bourbon. I do smell a little wheat grain here, too, in a modest secondary role. Is there peat present on the nose? Maybe a hint. No more. Water added brings out a beautiful floral element, and blends the flavours together. Score: 22.5/25 points

Taste: sharp, very tart barley AND wheat grain...make the taste buds sizzle. In the mouth you get very strong noticeable peat. Water added bundles and homogenises the flavours. Score: 21.5/25 points

Finish: what little sweetness revealed itself in the delivery disappears in the medium term into sour/tart citrus and bitterness from peat. Good, but loses the sweet balance too quickly. Water added focuses a tart sour finish. Score: 21/25 points

Balance: I like the quality of the individual flavours more than how they combine here. This marriage of flavours has some rough edges. Score: 20/25 points

Total Sequential Score: 85 points

Strength: strong flavours throughout. Score: 23/25 points

Quality: I like these flavours, individually. Score: 22/25 points

Variety: there is good variety of the flavours present. Score: 21/25 points

Harmony: a little rough in the harmony department, particularly on the finish. Score: 19/25 points

Total Non-Sequential Score: 85 points

Comment: this Haig Dimple Pinch 12 YO from the 1970s is very attractive in the nose but a little raucous in the mouth before going too strongly sour and bitter on the finish. I look forward to sampling the current releases of Haig Dimple Pinch for the purpose of comparison

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