Miltonduff 1981 32 YO Cask #5066 Adelphi Selection

Miltonduff 1981 32 YO Cask #5066, 53,1 %

A fairly old Speysider is on the stage today. It is my pleasure to present the Miltonduff 1981 32 YO Cask #5066 from independent bottler Adelphi.

This single cask whisky was distilled back in 1981, the year we were graced with Celebration by Kool and The Gang, 9 To 5 by Dolly Parton and of course the great classics Dreaming of Me and New Life by Depeche Mode! Ehm...matured for 32 years in a refill bourbon hogshead, and bottled in 2014. the total outturn was a blushing 197 bottles.

You can still buy this in Norway at NOK 2207 (item number 1724901). It is not available in Sweden; most likely sold out.

Nose (23/25): Oak, apples and vanilla. Smells like a slightly dusty orchard, if there's such a thing. I also find an old wooden shed, filled with stacks of old books and documents, and a case of fresh lemons hidden in a dark corner. On top of the case of lemons there's a small bouquet of herbs; basil and thyme. Quite full and complex. Give it another half an hour in the glass and it presents itself as lighter, sweeter and more approachable. Lovely!

Taste (22/25): Sweet, but with an acidic and youthful touch. There's a lot of oak here as well. Quite spicy; pepper, ginger, aniseed and mint.

Finish (22/25): Less sweet now, and becoming drier as it dies off. Relatively long finish, that ends on a metallic note.

Balance (22/25): A delight. This is not a dram to rush, give it time. In fact most drams should be allowed time to catch their breath when you finally let them out of the glass prison that is the bottle.

Score (89/100)

Image from Master of Malt.

Sláinte! - Thomas