Two years ago we saw a North British 1962 bottled by The Whisky Agency. The one we’re trying today is probably a related cask. It has just passed the respectful 50 years mark and it’s available in the Archives series.

North British 50 yo 1962 (45,2%, Archives 2012, hogshead #29, 168 btl.)

Nose: not the usual coconut / vanilla combination. Surprisingly dry, with some earthy wood tones and a bourbonny hint of maple syrup and sultanas. Melon. A few hints of women’s powder too, quite nice. Then some leather and tobacco. Cardamom, cinnamon and mint. An interesting crossover of different genres of whisky. Mouth: smooth and not exactly punchy. Corn, grassy notes, mint, green wood… close to grain whisky but close to bourbon whiskey as well. Some vegetal notes and a hint of sweet tobacco, fading towards liquorice, nutmeg and herbs. A soft banana / dried coconut touch in the background. Finish: not too long, half sweet, half dry, with some darkened sugar and dry oaky note.

This North British 1962 is extremely old but you never get the excessive woodiness that usually goes with it. It’s a nicely delicate dram that plays around with different elements and different styles. Relatively affordable too. Around € 150.

Score: 90/100