I hope you’re not getting bored of all these undisclosed 1970s Speysiders. I certainly can’t resist trying as much as I can. The latest on the market is this Speyside 1975 from Maltbarn.
Speyside region 41 yo 1975
(48,7%, Maltbarn 2016, sherry cask, 159 btl.)
Speyside region 41 yo 1975Nose: this one has some of the typical fruitiness of the others, but much more intense beehive notes (pollen, honey) and waxy notes (waxed oak, a little turpentine). Mandarins and lemons. Williams pears. Pink grapefruit and apricots. Eucalyptus. Some hints of cedar wood too, with very light whiffs of patchouli. Very aromatic.
Mouth: same story. Lovely fruits (plums, apples, dried oranges) but the oak is bigger. Lots of spearmint, resinous notes and beeswax. White pepper, just a hint of vanilla. Herbal tea. Cardamom. Mind you, it’s never too green or tannic.
Finish: long, on orange marmalade, resin and herbal tea.
This is one of the oakier undisclosed Speysiders, even though there’s no obvious sherry – must have been second fill, maybe Fino. The oak brings plenty of aromatic notes and there’s no excessive dryness. Not too complex but rather excellent. Around € 380, available from Maltbarn direct or one of its 13 distributors.
Score: 92/100