The Antiquary is a blended whisky created by the Tomatin distillery. In September 2015 they released 800 bottles of this 35 year-old expression. It’s supposed to be 50% Tomatin and 50% Girvan.
The Antiquary was originally created by the Hardie brothers back in 1888. The name is taken from the famous Gothic novel written by Sir Walter Scott, redolent with family secrets, stories of hidden treasure and hopeless love.
Their specific, faceted bottle design reminds me of some 1970s or 1980s blends, but they chose to put the 35yo in a more classic bottle.
The Antiquary 35 yo
(46%, OB 2015, 800 btl.)
Nose: very refined. Lots of oranges up front, with green apple and juicy yellow plums. Whitecurrant. Pink grapefruit. Dried apricot in the background. Whiffs of honey-coated almonds and cinnamon, with a lovely waxy layer and very light heather smoke underneath. Like a single malt.
Mouth: same (slightly thinner) fruitiness, with peaches, Grand Marnier, guava and berries. Hints of vanilla biscuits. A little mocha and caramel. Rich, waxy oak in the distance. Cinnamon and nutmeg. A glimpse of the 1970s Tomatin exotic fruits in the aftertaste.
Finish: long, still very refined, with no grainy notes whatsoever, and very smooth oaky notes.
Quite an exquisite (mini-)blend. Imagine the beautiful fruitiness of a 1970s Tomatin, with the creamy vanilla of an old, smooth grain, in a perfectly balanced package. One of the best blends I’ve had. Around € 350.
Score: 91/100