We saw very little Littlemill after the wave of 2012-2014. If you have a look at the Whiskybase list, there were merely six releases in 2016, and just one so far in 2017: this Littlemill 1990 in the Archives series.
Littlemill 26 yo 1990 (53,8%, Archives 2017, hogshead #32, 267 btl.)
Nose: nice mix of mineral, chalky notes with excellent fruity hints. Some mango and papaya, grapefruit, more Western apple peels as well. A little menthol. Rapeseed oil. Nice waxiness too, almost the old Ben Nevis-style lipstick.
Mouth: a fruit bomb now. The mineral hints are still there, but it bursts into passion fruits, papayas, pink grapefruits, dried apricots. Also a slight salty edge, which enhances the 1960s Bowmore effect. Sauvignon style – some grassy notes and green tea as well. Pepper in the end.
Finish: long, zesty, tropical, grassy and slightly salty. Great.
How I’ve missed this! Nice to be able to try more Littlemill, especially as this is one of the best 1990 expressions I can think of. More casks like this should be kept aside for a while. Around € 285, but out of stock at Whiskybase.
Score: 91/100