thewhiskymill

Distillery: Pittyvaich

Whisky Type: Single Malt

Region: Speyside

Strength: 52.10%

Age: 28 Year Old

Maturation: Refill American oak hogsheads

Bottle Size: 700ml

Like the 25-year-old edition, this malt comes from long guarded casks that were only very recently bottled, taking it up to 28-Year-Old territory, and it’s even better for it. Whiskies like this one are usually held within certain circles and not put out into the public domain. So not only is this whisky wonderfully vibrant in its overall flavour, it’s a chance to get your hands on a bottle of whisky usually reserved for millionaires, diplomats and royalty.   

Flavour Profile: Nose

The nose is met with eager, fresh barley, baked apple, ginger cake & green banana, too. A subtle turn follows, winding into vanilla & custard territory & then emerges into a burst of tart fruit flavours.

Flavour Profile: Palate

Energetic & zesty, the palate experiences orange juice & hot cinnamon first. Baked apple, almond & coconut continue the journey to a sharp, menthol closure.

Flavour Profile: Finish

Delicate & gentle. There is a distant wisp of smoke & white pepper leading to a slowly drying but long & enduring finish.

Distillery: The Cally

Whisky Type: Single Grain

Region: Scotland

Strength: 53.3%

Age: 40 Year Old

Maturation: Not Specified

Availability: 5,060 released globally

Bottle Size: 700ml

This Cally 40-Year-Old is only the second-ever single grain whisky to make it into a Special Series. Distilled in 1974, in the now-defunct Caledonian distillery near Edinburgh, it is one of the oldest whiskies on the market and will quite literally never be repeated. Not only does it tick every box in the nose, texture and finish, but its rarity means that you’re taking home the whisky equivalent of pure gold.  

Flavour Profile: Nose

Full of classic grain whisky character The Cally opens with freshly varnished wood & polish. Soon after comes some maturity, lighter notes pepper & spice with a beautiful salted caramel richness.

Flavour Profile: Palate

Warming & intense. Thick toffee & burnt sugar up front with sea salt & butter baked apples. Raisin turns into fruitcake as it develops in the glass, with bitter caramel, oak, dates & cinnamon.

Flavour Profile: Finish

Creamy vanilla does take centre stage but if you look for it you'll find lots of spice, cinnamon & allspice, becoming lighter & fading through nutmeg to a nicely sour end.

Distillery: Pittyvaich

Whisky Type: Single Malt

Region: Speyside

Strength: 49.9%

Age: 25 Year Old

Maturation: Matured in refill American oak hogsheads & ex-bourbon barrels

Availability: 5,999 bottles released globally

Bottle Size: 700ml

Established in 1975 and closed in 1993, the product of this short-lived Speyside distillery is rarely seen as a Single Malt Scotch Whisky and this bottling has lived longer than the distillery itself. The refill American Oak hogsheads and first fill ex-bourbon barrels create a complex, attractive and slender whisky, ideal for after-dinner contemplation.

Flavour Profile: Nose

Fragrant cereal and an essence of violet petals begin the sweet aromatic journey. There's a syrupy, yet creamy and mild peppery nature which steps back to reveal a high sharp note.

Flavour Profile: Palate

Intertwined with fruit skins, florals and malt, the palate embraces a heavy and rich natural waxiness at the end.

Flavour Profile: Finish

Light oak notes overlay white and dark chocolate tones for the tempered finish.