St. Magdalene 26 yo 1982/2009 Chieftain’s cask 2219
St. Magdalene otherwise interchangeably known as Linlithgow, because it was located in the town of Linlithgow, but specifically on the grounds of the former St. Magdalene hospital for lepers.
Here it is in all its ugly charm, circa 1989:
St. Magdalene closed in 1983, today the distillery has been turned into flats. Here it is today:
St. Magdalene 26 yo 1982/2009 Chieftain’s cask 2219
Nose: Big tropical fruit note – passionfruit to me, and really waxy in a thick, antique way. Wet hay. Quite musty aromas too, and a purple floral note. With water: What? A tiny but noticable amount of peat. Peat? In a lowlander? I had to check several times and I still don’t believe it, but it’s there… and cinnamon.
Palette: Sweet barley, and quite ‘mineral oil’. Rather stubborn, needs water.. Alright that did the trick, big spice bouquet, and pepper. Prickly prickly. Not a heavy whisky. Turns mildly herbal – oregano and parsley. Wait there’s that musty note again, like a very old leather jacket. Rather straightforward here, despite the surprise in the nose.
Finish: Medium-short, sweet cinnamon.
This lowlander is another bereaved loss. I can see why, it is tradition and individuality coming together in a bottle.
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