Bottle Details:
Distillery: Secret Islay
Bottler: The Whisky Jury (TWJ)
Vintage: 1989
Bottled: 2022
Stated Age: 32 years old
Casktype: Refill Barrel
Casknumber: 4416139
Number of bottles: 269
Strength: 52.1 % Vol.
Secret Islay 1989, The Whisky Jury
Nose: oh man, these casks are so good! There’s the sharpness of iodine, germolene and seashells, but also rounder marzipan notes and the intensely refreshing mentholated notes and bandages. All kinds of herbal notes too, walnuts and plenty of gouache. Linseed oil. The farmy Brora-like touch and wet sheep are present as well. Ace.
Mouth: terrific intensity. Still this medicinal and coastal sharpness, followed by polished leather and varnished woods, walnuts and brine. Light floral top notes. Green lemon peels, black pepper and herbal tea. Seawater runs through it as well. Hints of gentian, grapefruit and resins too. Really vibrant and punchy.
Finish: long, resinous, with seared lemons, green leafy notes, brine and cold ashes. A few drops of cod liver oil too.
Terrific – the combination of Islay intensity and the complexity that only comes with high age is just perfect. Great selection and hip, hip, hooray indeed. Worth tracking down.