St Magdalene 30 yo 1975 / 2005 Silver Seal 50% vs Linlithgow (St Magdalene) 1982 / 2008 #2220 Carn Mor 61.8%
If one had a mind to look, one would find available some mid 70s St Magdalenes but a lot of 1982s still floating around. Funny that those I’ve tried seem to have different styles. The 1982s being big grassy petrochemical powerhouses and the mid 70s seem to be more rustic and woodsy. There are exceptions of course. And also everyone certainly needs to try the Rare Malts St Magdalene at least once – they are brutal so approach with caution.
St Magdalene 30 yo 1975 / 2005 Silver Seal 50%
A musty and earthen one but in the ‘leaking barrel and stale brandy puddle in the damp earth’ sort of way. Accompanied by hints of dried grass, soaked wood, burnt butterscotch, patchouli oil, composting twigs and moss on shadowy forest floors. A muted undertow speaks of grated aniseed, liquorice, resinous bark and leather creme. Certainly a different style from the ’82 powerhouses. This one is a forest trail damp with a gentle note of decay.
Linlithgow (St Magdalene) 1982 / 2008 #2220 Carn Mor 61.8%
Bearing in mind the strength now… Lemon eau de vie and grass oil. Immense and it’s not the strength alone, the minerals are sharp and unforgiving. A bouquet of cold greens: pine, eucalyptus, galbanum, and all wrapped up in a thick blanket of petrol fuzz. It’s not a particularly friendly one so hard to approach with it’s limited breath and the austere cold notes, but there is no denying there’s so much to unpack once you get past the forboding power.
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