It’s not a shame if you haven’t heard of Hillside. It’s another name for the Glenesk distillery (Highlands), closed and dismantled since 1985 and now used as maltings. It’s extremely difficult to find one of the three Rare Malts bottlings that Diageo released between 1995 and 1997.

Hillside 25y 1970 (60,1%, OB 1996)

Nose: malty and quite grassy. There’s some honey and grapes but they seem to be burried in the alcohol. Some solventy notes. Terpentine. With some water: better, more grape and some peach. Mouth: again rather strong on alcohol. Quite oaky, herbal and spicy (pepper). After a few moments, there is a wonderful wave of smoke, mixed with dark caramel. Water doesn’t add much, but it accentuates the smoke. Finish: slowly fading smoke. Rather sweet and fruity aftertaste, with the oak getting drier in the end.

Not all Rare Malts are excellent whiskies. This Hillside 1970 is very powerful but not entirely balanced. The bottle is worth around € 400 so better suited for collectors than drinkers. The smoke made it worth trying though.

Score: 78/100