Today I'll be trying three Strathislaes after my brother chose that distillery for me, in his own words, because it sounds sophisticated. And I can in a way see what he means, Strathisla sounds a bit more posh than Brora, Banff, Dufftown or Glen Ord. Strathisla is one of the main contributors to the Chivas blends, and therefore I'm suspecting a lighter palate, but that might be a misreading by me.
Strathisla NAS 1980 40% OB by G&M
The color is dark golden, probably adjusted with some caramel. It smells rich, honey, banana cream liqueur, orange zest. Vanilla, oranges, cream liqueur, a sweet and fruity whisky that's perfect for a sunny summers day I think. The taste is sweet, pears, mint, oranges, Bols egg cream. Sweet & peppery. The finish is rather short and peppery. A bit to go on that note, but other than that I must say its a fantastic summers malt, a real fruitbomb.
Hardly complex, but a very "fun" whisky: 7
Strathisla NAS 1982 40% OB by G&M
Same deep golden color, adjusted with caramel. It smells light and spirity, a much weaker spirit than the 1980. Perhaps some inferior casks in the mix? Reminds me of some young grain whiskies I've had, Cameron Brig 12. The taste is light, malty, creamy, caramel, not far from the 12yo Chivas Regal actually. Some rustic balsamic notes in the finish, but this is blend territory.
Easy, light and drinkable: 5.5
Strathisla 25yo 43% Gordon & Macphail's
This one comes from 1st fill sherry butts. The color is light brown. It smells cinnamon, cream, leather, wax, mushrooms, glue, wheat. The taste is sweet, peppery, cinnamon, chili, salt, cashew nuts, peppery, licorice, polyester. I like it, even though the cask does almost all the talking here. A text book example of a good, sherried malt.
One for the sherry-lovers: 6
Next tasting: An inlaw chooses a speysider/highlander for me.
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