Seriously you can’t just click away when you see another review of an undisclosed Speyside 1973. This one was bottled by Maltbarn and presented at The Whisky Fair. Hence sold out indeed.
Speyside Malt 43 yo 1973 (47,7%, Maltbarn 2016, sherry cask, 149 btl.)
Speyside Malt 43 yo 1973 (47,7%, Maltbarn 2016, sherry cask, 149 btl.)Nose: bingo. The whole shebang: lots of beehive notes, subtle bananas, paraffin, walnut cake and orange zests. Apricots. Light hints of verbena. Pollen. Something of hay. Some tobacco and aromatic herbs, maybe a few hoppy notes. Excellent.
Mouth: sweet and fruity, in the best Speyside tradition. Apricots and honey, papaya and banana. Some pepper and cinnamon pastry. Spearmint. Resinous notes, but not in the mouth-drying way. The lightness of the oak is stunning.
Finish: long, very balanced, on oranges, including a few zesty notes, flowery honey and oak.
Well yes, these casks always fire an alarm so we were prepared, but still… Martin from Maltbarn thinks this is his best bottling so far. Who am I to disagree? Let’s not forget the Caol Ila though. Around € 420.
Score: 93/100