Vega 22 Year Old 1996 North Star Spirits

Vega… ah, that brings back good memories. This is a blended malt and Iain has now released his 6th edition. I was fortunate enough to be able to try the first (23yo 1993) and second (40yo 1977). I was too late to score the third (40yo 1976) and fourth (28yo 1990), but the fifth (33yo 1985, a North Star Spirits Shop Exclusive) awaits a special moment to be savoured. But look, here is number six now, 22 years old distilled in 1996. It is the youngest in the Vega family so far.

Wonderfully semi sweet nose on hazelnuts, mildly burnt caramel, rum raisins, autumn leaves and brioche. A truckload of chocolate and stout beer with a hint of cough drops. Very good!

Wonderfully oily, cough drops again, but joined by apricot jam, croissants, lots of caramel en green garden herbs. Liquorice too, and a hint of cinnamon. Turkish coffee with lots of grain. A mild bitterness. Seville oranges, chewing tobacco. All of the highest order. What a dram!

In the finish some earth and leaves kick in, with a mild peppery note and some amaro (a bittersweet Italian herb liqueur).

Another grand one of which many have been set free in recent years. Some good examples are Mark & Manny’s Malts Maverick 1993 (I know, I know, it’s not decent to mention my own release), the Enigma Blend 1993 from Beacon Spirits and the recently released (and still available) Speyside Blended Malt 1993 for Whivie’s 10th Anniversary (Oh, I did it again).