Strathmill 26 Year Old 1988 Valinch & Mallet

In their ‘Lost Drams’ series, the Italian Valinch & Mallet released this Strathmill 1988 a few years back. At cask strength, as they are wont to do. It is only my 15th Strathmill, but that is no surpise. The lion’s share goes into J&B and other blends and official bottlings are few and far between.

The nose is fresh on Granny Smith apples and lime juice. Loads of vanilla and a touch of oak, albeit discrete. A soft and accessible nose. It smells a whole lot younger than its 26 years though. After a few moments it becomes more fruity. Think banana and apricots.

It is mouth coating, which is pleasant. Creamy and spicy at the same time, while honeysweet on all kinds of fruit. Citrus in the lead, followed by sour apples and stone fruit. Mirabelles, gooseberries, apricots again and a truckload of lime, zest included. This is not too shabby. Very summery.

The finish is rather short on spices and lime.

Lime is present in the nose, on the palate and in the finish. Limemotiv? Nice, summery Strathmill that is dangerously quaffable. A card players’ whisky. Thanks, Peter.

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