Blended Scotch Whisky 42 Year Old 1976 The Maltman

This blend has remained under the radar a bit I think, for it is still available. Admittedly, 300 EUR is not cheap, but when you know that all components are from 1976 and matured for at least 42 years, almost half of that on oloroso sherry butts, then it seems quite reasonable. And it’s very good too! It consists of the following malts and grain: Ben Nevis, Clynelish, Teaninich, Macduff, Dailuaine and Invergordon.

The nose is soft and accessible and I must admit that I smell mostly the grain, but that doesn’t bother me. Raisin, banana, pencil shavings, peach, cherry and tobacco. It quickly turns a little creamy and softly seasoned. I even get some dessert wine on the nose, followed by orange liqueur. This is very pleasant.

The arrival is honeysweet and quite intense flavor wise, nicely waxy and a tad piquant on cloves. The fruit from the nose returns, while the oak adds a bitterness without dominating. This is pretty lovely after 42 years of maturation.

While the finish starts juicy and adds some dark chocolate, it slowly turns dry, but far too late to crash this party.

Exceptional blend that was finished on great wood… if you can call that a finish. That’s more a second maturation, wouldn’t you agree? Anyway: top dram!