Pittyvaich 30 Year (2020 Special Release)

I often find older Scotches to be overwhelmingly woody, but not this one. Rich and full in the mouth, Lyle’s Golden Syrup with exotic spices and a whisper of honey. Opens up significantly, so wait 20-30 minutes after pouring before sipping. Beautiful, pronounced and sleekly complex Speyside character with a long finish. Recommend highly.

Nose: 4.5/5 old book, nut, floral smoke Palate: 4/5 bitter, coffee, light sour, sour cream Finish: 3.75/5 medium long finish adding water soothens the abv and presents more paper. There is something special about the dram that you can’t find in other bottles

Yum

Nose: Grass, dried herbs, grass, spice, salt Pallet: basil, grapefruit, pepper, ginger, grass and salt. Finish: spice, oil, long and rich.

Getting into the truly special part of the annual Diageo series, here’s a real treat in the form of a closed distillery I have not tried before. It’s a sophisticated dram that I suspect would reveal many more shades and layers over the course of a bottle than a small sample can even hint at. It starts creamy on the nose, with suggestions of apple and malt. It’s sweet on the first sip, evolving into confectioner’s sugar (aka icing sugar, as we call it back home), ginger, tangerine, lemon and more cream. The finish is long and dry, with lemon and tangy fruits. Flavors are rich and moreish. This would make a fine gift for any jaded whisky collector.