Slainte-Mhath
North of Scotland 1970 41 Year (Finest Whisky)
Single Grain — Lowlands, Scotland
Reviewed
December 5, 2020 (edited March 14, 2021)
What is North of Scotland? The Faeroe Islands? Svalbard? Well, in this case we are talking about a long-closed Lowland grain distillery. Distilled in 1970 and bottled after four decades, scents of strawberry yogurt, pine needles and nougat mesmerize the nose. Custard, dried herbs and wood polish appear. After a sweet and aromatic arrival, the palate develops with candy floss, menthol and coconut. Complex spices, black tea and re-emerging strawberries culminate in a strong and lasting finish. A majestic and delightful grain, the taste of a bygone time.
RATING: 4.4/5.0 stars ≙ 90 pts → SUPERB [-]
279.0
EUR
per
Bottle
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@cascode I reviewed an Invergordon 1973 in January, which I scored 91 points. You read my mind when you asked about my personal 'whisky of the year' - it will not be one specific grain, but old grain whisky in general (30 years+). I think there is great value to be found in many old grains, and I sampled a bunch of them in 2020. Even Compass Box Hedonism is worth to mention, I liked it a lot. I still have a Caledonian 1987 and Port Dundas 1971 in my stash, so there is more to come!
Great find! Would not have guessed that North of Scotland was a Lowland lol
What a wonderful sounding whisky - would this be your favourite single grain of the year? Maybe whisky of the year?
Always enjoyable to read about ghost whiskies
@PBMichiganWolverine I paid only 170 € for this bottle, a steal! 279 € is the retail price (still available).
Additional information: North of Scotland was also known as 'Alloa' or 'Strathmore'. The distillery closed in 1980, and this single cask #5 was bottled by Finest Whisky in 2012 (47.1% ABV, 234 bottles).
@Slainte-Mhath This seems like a great price for a well aged closed distillery