Strathmill 2009 Best Dram – 56,7%

Unique casks, personally and locally selected in Scotland’s whisky regions, always cask strength, never chill-filtered or coloured. Sounds magical? No wonder, because these Best Drams are the work of Michel Reick, who as a whisky druid makes the magic of handpicked casks accessible to connoisseurs. Five newcomers make magical moments of enjoyment possible this week.

The new Best Drams have had between 6 and 15 years to develop their exquisite aromas. The single cask bottlings open up exciting perspectives for whisky fans on distilleries from the Isle of Islay, Speyside and the Highlands – in combination with the classic bourbon barrel or aromatic (sweet) wine casks.

At 56.7% vol. Cask Strength, the Strathmill 2009/2022 unfolds celebrated notes from the first fill bourbon barrel with vanilla sugar, tea notes and some coconut.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: Vanilla and oatmeal with peach, not quite ripe banana, a hint of coconut as well as shortbread. A fine pineapple note joins in. Despite the fruit, a pleasant dryness.

Palate: Strong start with vanilla sugar and short pastry. Becomes more fruity with peach and a hint of pineapple, which changes to subtle coconut. The banana is now a little riper and sweeter than on the nose.

Aftertaste: Medium long. Initially, the tea notes dominate before the whisky fades out with fruitier notes.