Speyside Region Single Malt 40 yo 1975 Sansibar 50.6% vs Speyside Region Single Malt 43 yo 1973 / 2017 Liquid Treasures #9 46.5%

As unspoken a lockdown as these unspoken malts. Stay sane.

Speyside Region Single Malt 40 yo 1975 Sansibar 50.6%

As autumnal a whisky as can be. Heaps of parched brown leaves in fall, the driest, best grade of tobacco. Pecan pie, golden syrup, a ight dusting of cloves and cinnamon, baked apples and honey sauce. Golden raisins. Fabulous whisky. Piquant and dry on the tongue with shrivelled brown leaves, dried mushrooms, even green tea; Yet sharp as a herbal tea brewed for digestion. Can’t say for sure but seems to suggest a Fino-esque origin. 91 pts Rumours abound as to the source of these beautiful casks.

Speyside Region Single Malt 43 yo 1973 / 2017 Liquid Treasures #9 46.5%

Another fabulous autumnal whisky. Very much in the same vein, except perhaps a tad less expressive here. Loses aromatic dryness for sweeter honey, raked sandy soil and sour nutmeg slices. Hints of salted candy even. But it converges on the palate, with these bountiful dry leafy herbal notes again but here it manages to be less sharp by presenting a sugared pineapple bonbon like aspect. 90 pts