The Whisky Agency has a new Littlemill 1989. I’ve tried it head-to-head with the recent 1991 from Mancarella.
Littlemill 29 yo 1989 (49,3%, The Whisky Agency 2019, hogshead)
Nose: this one is finer than the Mancarella bottling, perhaps even more on the waxy side with wax candles and some scented women’s powder. Lady Finger bananas, custard, lime peelings and honeydew. Honey as well. Less chalk and less vanilla, more on the pure fruits but overall slightly more shy as well.
Mouth: typical Irish-like fruity style, more so than in the Mancarella. Vitamin juice, grapefruits, mandarins, mixed with a little mint and hints of almonds. A delicate herbalness and subtle earthy notes, but less plain oak. Oldskool, in line with a Banff or St Magdalene for instance. Getting grassier and zestier towards the end.
Finish: long, fruity and grassy, with lemon skin and delicate herbs.
Another great one. Hard to choose: I think the Mancarella bottling has the nicest nose and has more punch – this is more delicate and shows less resinous oak on the palate. Same score, a matter of preference really.
Score: 91/100