Some of you may know Eiling Lim as a Malaysian blogger writing about food, wine and whisky (among other things) but I have the impression we might remember her more as a whisky bottler in the future. For the selection of casks she’s assisted by ex-Malt Maniac / Glenfarclas collector / former independent bottler Luc Timmermans, her newly-wed husband and obviously a respected name to have on your label.
This is her (their) first release, a Littlemill 1990. Only 68 bottles are available, it’s no secret this is from a shared cask. The release is intended for the Malaysian market, her home country, which is still slightly immature when it comes to whisky. Eiling Lim is officially the first independent bottler in Malaysia.
I’ve had the pleasure of translating Eiling’s ideas into a label design, I hope you like it. It combines retro elements like the diagonal ribbon with some up-to-date typography. The whisky was a pleasant surprise for me as well.
Littlemill 23 yo 1990
(49,8%, Eiling Lim 2013, cask selected by Luc Timmermans, 68 btl.)
Littlemill 23 yo 1990Nose: needs ten minutes in the glass. It starts on grasses, sweet grains and apples, which may seem a tad generic, but it would be short-sighted to stop there. After a while it becomes warmer than most other Littlemills, and wider: quite some vanilla, marzipan and buttercups. The typical, half-tropical fruitiness too: pineapple, all kinds of citrus, hints of creamy papaya and top notes of passion fruits. Excellent, especially with the added beeswax.
Mouth: more directly fruity. Lots of tangerines, pink grapefruits, green mango and peaches. Vanilla again (bourbon cask?), sweet almond paste and honey. Some polished oak and minerals, ginger and a little green tea with lemon.
Finish: long, with some bitter lemon, sweet oak and grapefruit.
Another great Littlemill, utterly fruity with a balanced layer of Lowlands minerality. Among the best non-sherried Littlemills I know (on the same level as the one bottled by The Whiskyman for Lindores some time ago) and a perfect start for a start-up bottler. Should be available in a couple of weeks. Around RM900.
Score: 91/100