Some of the best undisclosed Speyside malts I’ve tried from independent bottlers were bottled from a Fino sherry butt. Image the excitement when I found out about this 1975 release from Whisky-Fässle!
Speyside Region Malt 41 yo 1975 (47,4%, Whisky-Fässle 2016, Fino sherry butt)
Speyside Region Malt 41 yo 1975 (47,4%, Whisky-Fässle 2016, Fino sherry butt)Nose: waxed papers, with subtle fruits (apricots, tangerines, Williams pears) and orange blossom. Not as warm and juicy as a Caperdonich 1972 but in the same league. Hints of moist cedar, a soft tobacco note as well. Eucalyptus.
Mouth: ah, great. Full of juicy pears and apple cider (or Calvados indeed), then also oranges and grapefruit. Again a slight mustiness (reminds me of pre-war malts) that works so well. Less tropical fruits than some of the siblings I scored high in the nineties. Minty notes, resinous touches, herbal teas. And classic waxy notes of course.
Finish: not too long, but nicely balancing on zesty fruits, mint and oak spices.
From a parcel of excellent casks, no doubt. All great and this is no exception. Around € 330 but I believe it’s sold out.
Score: 92/100