Comparing 4 closed distilleries 1by1

I will try these 4 whiskies later on alongside some peers from same origin, but right now I'd like to try some whiskies that are from lesser estimated, of general view, closed distilleries. That meaning no Port Ellens, Glenlochys, Broras, Banffs or any of that kind. These 4 distilleries are forgotten after their seize of extinction, but maybe they'll grasp a post humous revival in coming years, who knows?



Millburn 25yo 1981-2006 46% MacKillop's Choice cask#355

Maybe I've had one or two good Millburns before, but there seems to be a considerable gap between each winner. But what I will say is that however one might call it, this was a whisky that never got a real chance as a single malt as there never where any official bottlings released. This one comes from a sherry wood, and reads bottling #201. The color is light amber. It smells raw onions, caramel, cauliflower, raw fish, barnyard, outdoors, wet gravel, I like it thus far. The taste is sweet and drying, concentrated sweets, banana liqueur, fruit gums, too sweet for me. A splash of water brings out more fruitiness, strawberries, mango, shallots, parsley, an unlikely mix.

Doubt this would be bottled if it came from a "living" distillery: 3


North Port NAS 1982-? 43% Private Cellar, Forbes & Ross

I think Private Cellar is the G&M's "Connoisseurs Choice" of Scott's Selection, which would usually mean an inferior selection to that bottles at cask strength, which the G&M Cask-series is. But I, and many others, seem to have found gold even in the CC-series, so here we go. The color is dark golden. It smells peppery, cinnamon, red onions, paprika, chili, ginger, orange marmalade, peppery, sulphur. A very reliable and shy sherry expression. I mean, you know it's sherried, but it doesn't scream it. The taste is round, apples, syrup, honey, cream sherry, a lot of good stuff going on. But while its just as good as it gets, one might get distracted by the light tastes. It's a kind whisky!

A gentle one, but extremely good, have alongside some dark chocolate: 8


Littlemill 17yo 1992-1009 50% Old Malt Cask Douglas Laing cask#3028

On little, or no closed distilleries has the reputation been as disputed as witb Littlemill. It seems some of its post-humous bottlings have been received with celebrations. I did try the 12yo a while back, and it was not a winner in my book, but perhaps this one might make me understand the recent demand for this whisky. The color is golden. It smells peppery, herbal, grassiness, onions, ginger, lowland style. The taste is sweet, caramel, juicy, plums, honey, onions again, cream liqueur, brittle, cream caramel, a very sweet dram. The aftertaste is peppery and sharp.

A very good lowlander, much appreciated: 6.5


Lochside 18yo 1981-2000 46% Murray McDavid cask#9639

A highlander with quite a potential, one of the most longed-after closed distilleries today, but in the shadows of Port Ellen and Glenlochy and others. Personally I believe Lochside is the one to get before its all gone. And MM knows how to pick'em. The color is orange. It smells light, perfumy, straw, crispy, earthy aromas. The taste is ever so light, vanilla, fruity, green grapes, cooked onions, grassy, a very light whisky, yet disturbing every picture of a whisky drinker being something other that a vodka drinker.

Light and extremely good: 6.5



Next tasting: Arran Distillery