Old Perth Cask Strength Red Wine Finish

Old Perth was initially a blend of Speyside malts (with quite a bit of Macallan) and North British grain, concocted by Peter Thomson, who lived in Perth. This is 1908. In 1993 the brand is acquired by Whyte & Mackay when they buy Invergordon Distillery. But since 2014 the brand is owned by Morrison & Mackay, who use mostly Aultmore as fingerprint malt. I hear they also use quite a bit of Tomatin, Mortlach and Ben Nevis, withheld the grain and made it a blended malt. This one was finished on red wine casks and bottle at cask strength. The colour is salmon pink.

The nose starts rather alcoholic. All kinds of red fruit, with cherries in the lead. But it also has some humid cellar and I am as of yet undecided whether I like that or not. Caramel and some pine cones emerge. Then milk chocolate and rotted wood kicks in. I am not overwhelmed with joy by this nose.

The first sip is sharp and alcoholic, very peppery and in your face. Then some red fruit appears (raspberries, cherries) – although it is more like a liqueur of red fruit – and some chocolate. The wine is omnipresent and even dominant.

The finish is long and warm on mint and sweet fruit. It’s the best part of this whisky, to be honest.

With a price tag of 50 EUR, this is not expensive, is it? Having said that, it is my least favorite Old Perth so far.