North British 1963 / 50 Year Old / Cask #10268

Andrew Usher, generally considered to be the father of blends, was involved with the foundation of the North British distillery in 1885. Located west from Edinburgh, it produces a massive 42 million liters of grain whisky per year. Today I am trying a 50 years old that was bottled by Douglas Laing in their Director’s Cut range, bottled three years ago.

The nose is wonderfully soft and mildly tropical. I get mandarin, but also hazel nuts and chocolate. Smell like top shelf rum. Vanilla, banana, some coconut and a bit of melon – even some tobacco. Baked apples with a drop of maple syrup. Very nice!

It is very oily on the palate. Banana liqueur, orange marmalade and then suddenly very loud oak, without becoming oaky though. Cinnamon, cardamom and a bit of pepper. Some mint. Vanilla, no doubt.

It becomes mildly drying on the medium long finish.

Lovely North British, but expensive. I cannot afford this 500 EUR bottle and would not spend it on this even if I could, to be honest. A few years ago I bought a 50 Year Old North British for 150 and 250 EUR, but those days are definitely over.

Find where to buy North British whisky