Milroy’s trio: Clynelish 23 yo 1997 / 2021 Milroy’s #12359 53.3% vs Ben Nevis 25 yo 1996 / 2021 Milroy’s #20 47.6% vs Springbank 28 yo 1992 / 2021 Milroy’s #185 50.9%
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Clynelish 23 yo 1997 / 2021 Milroy’s #12359 53.3%
The sort of Clynelish that’s big on oak, so we have new leatherette, creamy toffee, woody spices, and touches of licorice and soot. Also dripping with warm wax and honey. Sun warmed rocks, walnuts, hot ovens and – it must be said, a lean mineral streak that’s totally on point. A bit of smoking wood rounds it off. An example where the oak toes but retreats from the tipping point. 89 pts
Ben Nevis 25 yo 1996 / 2021 Milroy’s #20 47.6%
Another oak forward whisky, but this time a whole degree fatter oilier and indeed gristly in a way Clynelish never is. Thick leather re-oiled excessively, burnt caramel on cooked plums, burnt meat and seared sauce. Rendered fat, blackened twigs of sage and thyme, sooty candle stubs – you get the idea. This one is even a touch phenolic with wet soil and undergrowth. Not quite my style of Ben Nevis though on the money for the many who love this heavy dirty style. 87 pts
Springbank 28 yo 1992 / 2021 Milroy’s #185 50.9%
The clean sort this time, and once again hitting the stylistic bull’s eye here. So evocative, it’s impossible to avoid a mental picture of Campbeltown Loch at midday. Salt air, spilt diesel and the moldering funk of green fruit on compost. Lots of white smoke, menthol vapours, fennel sweets, mastic and a lick of peat. I love these Springbanks, which can come off as angular but always in possession of captivating charm. 91 pts
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- Brora 22 yo 1972 / 1995 Rare Malts 61.1% vs Brora 22 yo 1972 / 1995 Rare Malts 58.7%
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- Clynelish 29 yo 1965 Whyte & Whyte 52.1%
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- Dornoch 5 yo 2017 / 2023 #46 ‘Jasper Broers’ 57.9% vs Shizuoka ‘private cask’ 2017 / 2022 #2017-108 61%
- Clynelish 26 yo 1993 / 2020 Carn Mor #11215 52.7% vs Bowmore 17 yo 2004 /2021 SMWS 3.327 ‘Siren’s Song’ 57.1%
- Talisker 25 yo ‘Bottle TA25 3987’ 45.8% ~ bottle code L0296CM004 bottled 2020 vs Ledaig 11 yo 2008 / 2019 The Swan Song & 1BRD #700104 58.7%
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