Littlemill 24 yo 1989 / 2013 The Whisky Agency and Acla 52.9% vs Lochside 27yo Single Grain James MacArthur’s Old Master 60.5%
Littlemill 24 yo 1989 / 2013 The Whisky Agency and Acla 52.9%
Classic fruity sort of littlemill, with grapefruit and citrons, peaches, passionfruit and rhubarb. More fresh, tart and zesty-sweet than outright tropical fruit. Delicate oiliness – is it a coincidence that fruit first whiskies tend towards a medium-light body often with grass (also another Littlemill thing). Sappy cut stems, dry brown paper and a very clean crisp tobacco. Spearmint outlines this fruitness on the palate. Oxalic acid makes for a green bite rather than fruit from front to end. An oily suppleness with hints of warm cream. Great Littlemill, very typical of the high quality of these batches. 90 pts
Lochside 27 yo Single Grain James MacArthur’s Old Master 60.5% ~ early 60s distillation
Grain? Very oily and thick with cooking oil and greasy kitchens, brown nut oils, and well worn wooden counters. Moving unappealingly into musty territories of faded purple flowers and wilt. What is it with these James MacArthurs going off more often than other miniatures. Thankfully it doesn’t go full blown rotten flowers, but the hints of decay are unavoidable. Black pepper, slightly stale ginger powder, and cumin? A little sweaty. Very strange, which old master chose this really. Some tonic, linseed, chopped coriander. 70 pts
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