Banff 1971 (Douglas Laing Platinum)

Too long since we’ve tried a Banff, so here goes. Douglas Laing bottled another similar cask the year after (1971/2009).

Banff 37 yo 1971 (53%, Douglas Laing Old & Rare Platinum, 271 btl.)

Nose: not a quick charmer. Herbal notes (dried dill and oregano) and hay. Pepper. All quite shy – especially considering the strength – and partly covered in a blanket of dust. Old books. Some mineral notes (silver polish) and wet dogs. Mint. Farmyards in the rain.

Mouth: oily, again showing a strange combination of wet gravel, wasabi, pipe tobacco and oak. Wet paper. In the background something vaguely sweet (oranges) and peppery at the same time. Whiffs of smoke as well.

Finish: long but rather monotonous. Oak, lemon and soft herbs.

A whisky fossil, in a way. I quite like the tobacco / mustard combination on the palate: totally unique even though it’s slightly whacky in other parts. Already around € 275 back in 2008.

Score: 89/100