Speyside Region 1973 (Maltbarn)

Yet another undisclosed Speyside 1973 bottled by Maltbarn. I believe the label also mentions 1972 but it should be 1973 according to my information.

I saw some references to a certain distillery for this whisky, but they turned out to be false…

Speyside Region 45 yo 1973 (53,2%, Maltbarn 2018, sherry cask, 299 btl.)

Nose: excellent. Lots of sappy notes, precious wood polish, beehives and pollen, light herbal notes, Fino minerals, some mint, bergamots and melons, dried bananas, floral hints, hay… Mellow, old-style with lots of details. So, so good.

Mouth: one of the more punchy expressions of its kind, which means big hints of dried grasses, as well as more minerals and a bit more oak. Herbs. Floral honeys. Quinces, oranges, with a light hint of grapefruit zest and exotic touches. Spicy oak, maybe Szechuan pepper.

Finish: long, drier, Fino-like, with minerals and wax.

Impressive again, we can’t get enough of this. I believe this has the highest ABV I’ve seen in this parcel of casks, so expect a slightly more austere, herbal, mineral influence. Slightly bigger Fino character if you like. Recommended. Around € 420.

Score: 92/100