Here are the new releases from Hogshead. They’re combining an independent bottling range with an importer’s business in Holland (for Spheric Spirits, Thy, Milroy’s of Soho and many more). Check some of the releases we’ve tried in the past.
Strathisla 34 yo 1989 (45%, Malts of Scotland for The Whisky Dreamers 2024, sherry hogshead, 110 btl.)
Nose: very inviting and aromatic. A mix of freshly cut apricots, juicy clementines and melons, along with all-flower honey. Then moist tobacco leaves, just a hint of coconut, some leather and very light hints of dried rose petals. The beehive notes keep growing stronger, lovely.
Mouth: on the crossroads of fruits, herbal teas and polished oak. More apricots, mirabelles and tangerines with marmalade, beeswax and honey. Then more towards herbs (eucalyptus) and fruit tea. Leathery notes, candied ginger and a fragrant whiff of rose-scented women’s cream too, that’s the old wood talking. Really charming. Darker berries and sandalwood towards the end.
Finish: medium length, with more fruit tea, orange zest, cardamom, dried flowers and a mild resinonus touch.
Very happy to try such an old Strathisla again. A great combination of fruits, beehive notes and this nicely aromatic side of old oak.
Littlemill 34 yo 1990 (50,7%, Malts of Scotland for The Whisky Dreamers 2025, bourbon barrel, 188 btl.)
Nose: a light papery / dusty note up front, but adding a few drops of water opens it up and brings out the fruits. Some melons, sauvignon-like citrus, grapefruits and subtle papaya. Just the lightest vanilla. Then a chalky hint, a bit of moss or tree bark
Mouth: a nice fruit salad, even though it’s less explosive than the 1990s bottled ten years ago. You’re getting passion fruits, sour plums, lemons and grapefruit. It’s the bright and zesty side of the fruit spectrum. Then a little limestone and subtle grassy / green tea notes, with some polished oak underneath.
Finish: medium to long, with more zesty citrus fruits and green plums, along with a hoppy edge, more green tea and white pepper.
Yes, good. Really good. But I’ve always found people gave higher scores to Littlemill than me. Here as well, I can’t help thinking the 20-25 year olds were more impressive. Then add the price to the equation (around € 1000) and my mind drifts off to other whiskies (or whiskeys) that offer a similar style of fruits. Score: 90/100
Bowmore 28 yo 1996 (50,3%, Malts of Scotland for The Whisky Dreamers 2025, Caribbean rum finish, 155 btl.)
Nose: pretty perfect. Quite punchy, with a lot of hessian and tweed jackets, along with smoked lemons and brine. Then subtle hints of passion fruit and unripe pineapple in the distance, as well as seaweed and light anchovies. Menthol too. Unmistakably Bowmore.
Mouth: a mix of passion fruit and guava with kiwi, yellow apples and vanilla. Grapefruit and lime. Then plenty of brine again, as well as some punchy pepper, gentian and mentholy ashes. Light kippers. Grapeseed oil and subtle floral notes as well.
Finish: long, with this pleasant sourness and tart tropical fruits, magnified by salty notes. Ashes and pepper.
I was a bit skeptical about the rum finish, but it is very supportive of the spirit. The combination of tart fruits, Islay character and age Score: 77/100