Speyside Finest 1975 (Beacon Spirits)

Another release from the new independent bottler Beacon Spirits. This is a Speyside Finest 1975, usually a nickname for Glenfarclas but we can’t be sure of that.

Speyside Finest 1975 (46,9%, Beacon Spirits 2016, 54 btl.)

Nose: a tad lighter and shier than its Good Vibes sister. However it shares the same beautiful elements: Caperdonich-like apricot jams, tropical hints (guava), honey and plenty of oily notes. In this case there’s also a more dusty / garage-like edge, even a slight chalky touch, nice.

Mouth: fairly forthcoming and round, with sweet oranges, kumquat and guava pairing well with sappy oak and a little chlorophyll. Hints of fruit tea with honey and hardly any tannins, wonderful. Waxy notes, a touch of mustard and pepper. Still tobacco and beeswax.

Finish: long, on oaky notes but also hints of chocolate and mint.

Excellent whisky, well done for a start-up bottler. In case you didn’t know: these undisclosed 1970’s Speysiders will be the highlights of 2016. Take my word. Around € 295 from their website.

Score: 92/100