In partnership with each respective distillery, all whiskies in Gordon & MacPhail’s Rare Vintage series are uniquely labeled. Many of these labels – like the ones for Strathisla – grew to become a kind of semi-official range under licence from the distillery.
We’re trying a Strathisla 1967 bottled in 2015. They’ve released some excellent bourbon casks as well, but this is from first-fill sherry butts.
Strathisla 1967
(43%, Gordon & MacPhail 2015)
Strathisla 1967Nose: fully on plum jam with dried apricots underneath. Sweet and sour, with some orange peel and marmalade, lime, mint and eucalyptus. Plenty of waxed furniture as well. Fresh spices. Hints of tobacco and a little mocha.
Mouth: a bit soft, but it shows a similar burst of dried fruits, with chilli, herbs and lots of mentholated notes. Hints of quinces and raisins. Rich fruit cake. Then back to resinous notes, cough syrup and Fernet Branca – there’s quite a bit of oak but in a refreshing, minty / herbal way rather than an overly drying way.
Finish: very long, with oak, lingering pepper and Seville oranges.
This is old whisky with a lot of oak influence but still very, very good. A perfect whisky for G&M’s Wood makes the whisky campaign. Around € 750.
Score: 91/100