PBMichiganWolverine
That Boutique-y Whisky Blended 50 yr old Batch 1
Blended — Scotland
Reviewed
July 3, 2019 (edited July 5, 2019)
So I wanted to open up a special bottle as a celebratory pour for my son getting a scholarship. The little rugrat scored 99.999% on a math state exam.
But my original bottle I wanted to open up was a 43 yr old Speysider. I searched and searched my vault of 550-650 bottles...and at this point, I don’t know what more pathetic: that I have 550-650 bottles, or that I ran out of patience after 1 hour of fruitless searching. What I did find though was this 50 yr old blend. Reportedly, the latter batches weren’t all that great, but I’m hoping this batch 1 lives up to its Whiskybase score of 91.
It’s really not often one has something this old. Just step back and take things in perspective: 50 years ago was the first manned moon landing; since then we’ve seen so much growth in all areas of technology, medicine, economics, and culture. Whether one likes this pour or not, it’s well worth noting the symbolism.
I had just a few sips, so basing my take on an initial little pour:
The best part is the nose. Candied ginger, caramel , a bit of salty brine. Taste is a step down from the nose unfortunately. Still good, but the tease from the nose led me to expect more. Silky smooth. Definitely some sherried malt. Five decades smoothed out any grain roughness. Understated elegance.
The only other time I had something this old ( one year older actually) was a 51 yr old Craigellechie that my buddy @Scott_E graciously took me as a guest. It’s hard not to compare the two, but also hard not to acknowledge the similarity —namely the silky smooth elegance, the subdued flavors without any particular one standing out, and the impact ( or lack thereof) of wood. I’d expect 5 decades in wood will be a lot, but cask management skills are key I guess.
Anyway... @Scott_E @LeeEvolved @Telex @dubz480 @Generously_Paul —I’ll be sending this your way—hopefully you’ll enjoy it. @Richard-ModernDrinking I’m saving you a pour for our next event.
300.0
USD
per
Bottle
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@dubz480.- wait till you really get to know him. He sends out holiday cards with hundred dollar bills. :)
@LeeEvolved yeah—I’ll crack that Brora one day—another celebratory occasion
@PBMichiganWolverine - here’s to hoping you or your wife find a winning lottery ticket on the sidewalk, your company promotes you to CEO/CFO, they find a secret stash of gold under your driveway or they determine a drop of your blood can cure cancer...because I really want a pour of that Brora and Kuirizawa! Lol, j/k- congrats on the kids accomplishments and thanks for the generosity. I’m looking forward to trying this one. Cheers.
@Richard-ModernDrinking I actually did not...maybe batch variances? Mine was batch 1, so they could’ve used different components. I was surprised to get a bit of salty brine, almost like an Islander.
Batch 5 of this was one of the bottles I gave my father for his 80th two years ago. Definitely a 4.0-4.5 whisky, and good value for 148 pounds. In fact, I thought I had reviewed it here but I guess not. This is one of the few whiskies that I am confident I could identify blind, because there's a very distinctive licorice note on the finish. @PBMichiganWolverine Did you get that on this batch?
Congrats on both the result and the opening of such a fine bottle!
@Richard-ModernDrinking it’ll come full circle...watch him break open the single cask Karuizawa and mix it with Diet Pepsi .
Dear PB Jr. Congratulations on your exam results! I know you were excited to celebrate with your father, so I’m sorry that he disappeared for an hour as soon as he heard the fantastic news. But one day you will understand that it’s important to commemorate these moments in life by thrashing around in the basement shouting I KNOW IT’S HERE SOMEWHERE!!! It’s a lesson I know my children have taken to heart. Haven’t you, boys? Boys? Kids, where are you? Oh look, a shiny bottle....
@Scott_E I didn’t get the same old books in the library aroma in this. I think that’s because of the grain component vs all single malt. I think if I found that 43 yr old Speysider, we’d have that aroma.
@PBMichiganWolverine Congratulations on your son’s outstanding academic achievement. Curious if there were any dusty, mildew-y old books aroma as the Craigellachie 51 had?
Cheers as always for you tremendous generosity!