The Whisky festival formerly known as Lindores has made a restart. It is now the G&B WhiskyFest (after two Lindores members Geert & Billy). There is a whisky gathering this Friday and a festival for old, rare and exquisite whisky on Saturday 25th November 2017, still in Hotel Bero in Oostende, Belgium.
Expect two festival bottlings this year: a Strathmill 1975 (in the Angel’s Choice series by Malts of Scotland) and this Mystery Speyside over 25 years old in a new series by Billy’s Whisky Barrel. Both very limited.
Mystery Speyside ‘over 25 yo’
(45%, Billy’s Whisky Barrel for G&B Whiskyfest 2017, 66 btl.)
Mystery Speyside ‘over 25 yo’Nose: very fruity and aromatic. A fruit basket with white peaches, apples, pears. Lemon scented candles. A few blossomy notes, mint and light honeyed malt. Rather simple but the clarity and vibrancy are quite perfect.
Mouth: again sweet, lively and full of fruits. Tinned pineapple, nectarines, Granny Smith apples. Green banana. Hints of cake. A big citrusy side too. Evolves on grasses and oily notes.
Finish: medium length, citrusy (more grapefruit now), with barley notes and earthy oak spices.
A very good easy-drinking whisky with a bright fruity side. Good one, Billy. Around € 150.
Score: 88/100
Strathmill 1975
(47,4%, Malts of Scotland ‘Angel’s Choice’ for G&B Whiskyfest 2017, ref. MoS 17047, 87 btl., 35 cl)
Strathmill 1975Nose: beautiful, albeit perhaps a little shy. Nice polished wood up front, beeswax, honeydew and subtle hints of ripe apples, oranges and some apricot. Buttery vanilla cake. Some pine wood and eucalyptus.
Mouth: classic old Speyside, with a waxy fruitiness (blood oranges, apples), resinous touches and herbal tea. A little ginger and mint. Nutmeg and traces of tobacco.
Finish: quite long, on liquorice root, walnuts and some zesty citrus notes.
A very nice example of an old Speyside whisky, which admittedly starts to show its age on the palate. Well suited for this great festival. Around € 240.
Score: 90/100