Banff Duncan Taylor, Rarest of the Rare, 1975, 35yr old, 45.4% ABV

Banff 35yr Old, Duncan Taylor

Reviewed by
Connosr member:

redeagle717

Date:

1st Oct 2012

Reviewer rating:

About this score:

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Tasting Notes by redeagle717

Before the tasting notes, I must say that Banff whisky is very special and should be regarded as one of the best older whiskies out there from mothballed distilleries (ie, St Magdalene, Brora, Inverleven, Coleburn, etc). This independent bottling from Duncan Taylor is not only special, it is a delicious piece of whisky history!

Nose: Green apples, grassy, clean, intense oak (no doubt from the oak cask involvement of 35 years!) 23/25

Taste: Let it sit for a good while before tasting. Otherwise you will get nothing from this gem. The taste is exactly like the nose, which is impressive- and it's more. Initially, rich green apples, floral, soft- typical Speyside. However, within ten seconds of sipping, a very sharp, cask involved taste hits you intensely- lots of oak and stinging from the alcohol, white pepper. This one is very intriguing, and is undoubtedly cask strength. After awhile, rich, vegetal notes linger and keep the finish clean. 23/25

Finish: Clean. Need I say more? Very complex- lots of intrinsic quality and complexity to this relatively simple, yet old, Speysider. 22/25

Balance: Impressive- after 35 years this whisky has proven to be one of the best, and affordable, older whiskies on the market. The elegance of Speyside whisky and Banff, is present in this bottle. 23/25

Whisky details

Distillery/Brand:

Banff

Bottling:

Duncan Taylor, Rarest of the Rare, 1975, 35yr old, 45.4% ABV

ABV:

45.4%

Colour:

Sunlight

Banff Duncan Taylor, Rarest of the Rare, 1975, 35yr old, 45.4% ABV Banff 35yr Old, Duncan Taylor Reviewed on 2012-10-01T03:15:00 scoring 91/100 by redeagle717

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Comments

systemdown wrote:

Hi, thanks for the review! I had the chance to pick up a bottle of Banff but it was the Connoisseur's Choice at 40% ABV so I passed. Some day (in the not too distant future) looking to pick up a bottle at 45% or better so something like this might fit the bill.

From your notes it seems as if this 35yo has very prominent oak influence - e.g. "intense" oak on the nose and again on the palate, that's the only part I'm not convinced about as I like some oak, but not too much. Perhaps this 35yo would be "over oaked" for my tastes, but glad you found it enjoyable.

01 October 2012 03:33

redeagle717 wrote:

I agree- it's the kind of whisky you taste and can tell it is much older and cask influenced. The grace in this whisky is that the age and cask involvement has not affected its intrinsic quality as a very good whisky.

01 October 2012 03:40