Did you notice we’ve been reviewing more old bottlings lately? It is rather quiet in the whisky scene – summer, you know.
Gordon & MacPhail has a tradition to do special bottlings to commemorate royal weddings (we’ve tried Andrew & Fergie before). For the marriage of Prince Charles and Lady Di on 29th of July 1981 they released vattings of 1948 and 1961 casks. There’s Glen Grant, Glenburgie and Strathisla, as far as I know.
Strathisla 1948 / 1961 ‘Royal Wedding’ (40%, Gordon & MacPhail 1981, for Charles & Diana)
Nose: maybe not the freshest nose at first (sticky toffee with a meaty twist), but this kind of old bottles deserve a bit of airing. Not a classic sherry nose in any case, it’s more on aromatic herbs and juicy fresh fruits than on the typical raisins or spices. Lemon verbena, lime leaves and mint. Oranges and pineapples, with a pleasant sourness.
Mouth: much sweeter, with quite some vanilla and a list of fruity notes (dried apricots, tangerine). Becomes considerably drier, on ginger, dark chocolate and cardamom. Some resinous notes.
Finish: malty and spicy, rather short.
This is a subtle Strathisla with a light, elegant profile. Really good but it may be a bit soft at 40%. Worth around € 500.