Among the latest bottlings from The Whisky Jury there were two 1991 Islay Malts. One is a general release and the other is for friends: Passion for Whisky in The Netherlands and Lucky Choice in Australasia.
I tried both at the Limburg Whisky Fair last weekend and they were really good.
An Islay Single Malt ‘LP’ 34 yo 1991 (49,5%, The Whisky Jury for Lucky Choice & Passion for Whisky 2026, refill bourbon barrel, 232 btl.)
Nose: mellow smoky notes and mild medicinal hints (bandages, herbal ointments and camphor), along with tight lemony notes and a hint of iodine. Lime and green apple underneath, as well as warmer fruits like guava. Then back to cigar ashes and a hint of roasted chestnut.
Mouth: lovely Laph. This petroly style of peat, with lemon peelings and lime juice, a firm coastal side (brine or even anchovies) and a little pepper. Mid-palate the fruits come out, say peaches, papaya and a hint of passion fruit. Then just a touch of bitterness in the distance (orange pith). Leathery hints and a hint of oaky vanilla.
Finish: long, citrusy and peppery. Still some barbecued pineapple and salt.
Simply excellent – very much in line with expectations for these 1991s. Especially the balance of medicinal notes and rounder fruity elements stands out. Out of stock at Passion for Whisky, maybe Lucky Choice still has some bottles.
An Islay Single Malt ‘LP’ 34 yo 1991 (50,6%, The Whisky Jury 2026, refill hogshead, 222 btl.)
Nose: slightly more subtle and oily. It’s a more waxy type of smoke, with less opulent medicinal notes perhaps. Chalky notes, kippers with soot and a hint of earthy hints of beetroot. Similar guava, but slightly less citrus. More vanilla. I’m now focusing on the differences, but in reality the similarities are bigger, I’d say.
Mouth: very vibrant, with more citrusy notes now. Bright lemon and pink grapefruit. Drops of pastis, more medicinal notes than the nose suggested (iodine) and a firm saltiness which always aplifies the citrus. Lots of ashes, light herbs and leather.
Finish: long, herbal and slightly bittersweet. Brine, cigarette ash and lemon peelings too.
Very difficult to pick a favourite here. In Limburg I had a preference for the first one, but in a more controlled environment I got impressed by the added waxy character of this one (which I didn’t pick up at the fair). Score: 91/100