Where do they find all these Littlemill casks when we hadn’t seen a single bottle for years? Moreover, it seems they keep getting better. Today: Littlemill 1990 bottled by Whisky-Fässle.
Littlemill 23 yo 1990
(51,2%, Whisky-Fässle 2014, hogshead)
Littlemill 23 yo 1990Nose: after the initial grassy and surprisingly minty wave has passed, this one shows a very candied profile. Banana jellies, pink grapefruits, papaya. Less of the acidic notes (passion fruits) this time. Instead lots of milky vanilla, with some marzipan as well. Also lovely waxy notes, paraffin, almost the old Ben Nevis-style lipstick notes. After a while the mint / eucalyptus oil returns. What a great nose.
Mouth: utterly fruity, very tropical, with lots of warming and exotic fruits. Papaya, guava, banana, pineapple and coconut. Mid-palate it gets a little greener, with some tobacco leaves, green tea and oak. Again really waxy. I can’t stop thinking of the unique Ben Nevis style, only much fruitier.
Finish: long, with fruit tea and salty oak.
This pretty much blew me away, just like the sherry casks that were bottled in 2012. It’s such a wonderful whisky and this particular example is more complex and more unique than the already great bourbon casks of the last few months. Around € 135. Sold out.
Score: 92/100