Strathisla 22 Year Old 1972 G&M CASK

Gordon & Macphail is the bottelaar with the most Strathisla in its track record. If I remember correctly, this one was poured at one of Bert Bruyneel’s Wee Dram Masters, meaning it can no longer be obtained through regular channels. That might be right, as this one was released almost twenty years ago.

Once you get past the alcohol, the nose is filled with tropical fruit, but in a mild state of decompostion. A mandarin with fungus on it. And a litchi that lay in the basket too long. Sounds worse than it smells, but still. Some banana. Camphor? Licquorice. Weird nose, but not unpleasant in some way. With water, it becomes a lot better, though.

This is very, very piquant on the palate. And the fruit is still quite off kilter. Loads of oak, liquorice and cloves. Juniper berries? I am not really impressed. With water, it becomes swetter and better, if not by much.

On the long finish, I mostly get spices and banana.

What a weird Strathisla indeed! Good fun, though.

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