16/06/2025 Strathmill

Strathmill 11yo 1985/1997 (43%, Signatory Vintage, Oak Cask, C#2342, 2460b, b#95, 97/617): nose: oh! it is a lovely dusty one, with old fruits, dried and chewy. Dried apple slices, dust-covered easy-peelers, and a pinch of ground white pepper. It is far from a peppery nose, yet it displays a softly-spicy touch. It has got a fresh kick too, minty, somewhat leafy -- laurel and olive-tree leaves. The nose becomes bolder as it parades strawberry foliage on a wooden board. The second nose adds hardened raisins, or prunes splashed with ink. An odd combination augmented with white-wood shavings and one preserved cherry -- unless it is a bunch of dark grapes. Mouth: urgh! Very bitter, borderline shampoo-y, this takes a few seconds to feel more welcoming. Fortunately, enduring the pain for that short time seems enough: soon, we are treated to crystallised orange segments, crushed clove, and the most subtle violet sweets. The initial bitterness never truly disappears, but it is quickly reduced to a vaguely-earthy note -- mushrooms, mulch. The second sip is still as difficult upon entry, and it is with a huge relief that the bitterness comes back down, leaving citrus peels, cassia bark and ground clove. A cold mulled wine, in a way. Finish: sweet as hard-candy, it is not violet, here, so much as liquorice. Oh! it is far from offensive; merely a root-y type of earthy sweetness. This finish leaves the mouth throbbing gently as would a camphor-flavoured mouthwash. Unusual, but not without merit. The second gulp feels more traditional: woody and creamy, it has a little fruit too, whether that is squashed strawberries or black-cherry jam. It has an unexpected pinch of grated medicine tablet (Zyma Fluor comes to mind), which brings us back in the bitter realm, albeit one that is tolerable. It is alright, this. 6/10