Strathisla 34 yo 1937 / 1972 Gordon and Macphail for Pinerolo 43% vs Macallan 1947 securo cap Campbell, Hope & King for Rinaldi 80 proof
Some old Speysiders from around the war years when peat was most likely used to dry the malt.
Strathisla 34 yo 1937 / 1972 Gordon and Macphail for Pinerolo 43%
Bear in mind the ancient provenance and the sheer time it has spent in the bottle. Unfortunately (and it may be just my sample) it seems this one has started to collapse before the weight of time. Metal tin caps, and a thick ‘must’ with an animalic funk that makes me think of musk centric perfumes. Earthy with composting leaves, aromatic gummy resins oozing from cut bark. Traditional herbal oil remedies. Touches of soot and dirty things, which isn’t surprising if peat was used. And on the tongue it does present more dried ginger and camphor notes than the nose.
Macallan 1947 securo cap Campbell, Hope & King for Rinaldi 80 proof
Right so, this is a much sought after post war Macallan. For a few years after the war coal was in short supple, so peat was used to dry the malt. This is a rare one.
Great old whisky. Subtle with an old rancio some of these old sherry matured whiskies can have, and yet superbly elegant without any off balance aspects whatsoever. Coal lumps and cold black earthy phenolics. Match that with the airy aromatics of the nuanced sherry – empty cocoa tins, crates that once held overripe figs, desiccated leather. Deep black resins and dried bark for medicine, licks of smoke and soot. Also hints of glass coming through but I am surprised how little there is of it. Immaculate poise.
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