Isle of Jura 1966 (Douglas Laing OMC)

Even through the green glass, you can tell this was heavy sherry… Isle of Jura 1966 bottled by Douglas Laing back in 1999.

Isle of Jura 33 yo 1966 (50%, Douglas Laing Old Malt Cask 1999, sherry wood, 343 btl.)

Nose: perhaps closer to an actual Oloroso sherry than to whisky. Not that we’re complaining. Entirely on leather, blackberries and raspberries, polished furniture, rum & raisins and truckloads of pipe tobacco. Caramelized figs. It’s quite heady, with something that reminds me of tiger balm and shoe polish. Herbal notes and mint in the background.

Mouth: old-style sherry that is close to a cough syrup. Sweet and savoury, with lots of herbal and medicinal notes. Cardamom and all-spice. Stewed rhubarb, forest fruit jam and something of pink grapefruit in the background. A little char and coffee. A slight sourness from the oak too. Certainly hints of Brandy de Jerez.

Finish: long, dry, oaky, with cloves and the same brandy notes.

A sherry bomb alright. As often: a glorious nose, but loosing some points on the palate due to the oak juices. It’s funny how this Jura reminds me of two other 1966 whiskies, both bottled in the same series, a Glen Mhor 1966 and Banff 1966.

Score: 90/100