St Magdalene 25 yo 1964 / 1989 Cadenhead 44.2% vs St Magdalene 23 yo 1970 Rare Malts 58.43%
St Magdalene 25 yo 1964 / 1989 Cadenhead 44.2%
One of those old noses which are so remarkably phenolic one might have thought old Ardmore. Cold engines and a single overripe orange starting to turn mushy. The garage vibes are strong with decades of soot and gunked up grease in tins next to old lubricants. Bags of coal and musty honey follow. And a smear of mentholated salve. It’s a thoroughly industrial nose that is simply not found in modern whisky, and a rewarding experience to seek out. Similar on the tongue with aburi meat, burning tobacco and a lingering mint liqueur. Deeply layered and expressive yet pristinely preserved despite the years in glass. 92 pts
St Magdalene 23 yo 1970 Rare Malts 58.43%
This is the little seen one. Seems a lot less petrol-like than the 19 yo Rare Malts (what a monster that was). Though it’s true a certain hydrocarbon note permeates this whisky. Here perhaps taking a turn towards a raw green fruit and graphite. A juice made from grass, mineral oil, a ton of the most bitter orange peel, little notes of oiled metal and ripely composting compost. Quite a ride. Brown paper, lemongrass, burnt crumbs, and lighter fluid. Make no mistake – its rather austere and difficult yet also immensely powerful. Unforgiving really. 87 pts
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