Strathisla 1997/2012 Chivas Brothers CS Edition

Much to my surprise, this is actually the first time I post tasting notes on a Strathisla. This distillery is not only beautiful (high up on my wish list to visit the next time I’m in Speyside), but has also produced some legendary (mainly) ex-sherried whiskies from the sixties and seventies. So I’d say it is high time I give this gem of a distillery some attention.

Today I review a more modern Strathisla from 1997, which is part of series called Chivas Brothers Cask Strength Edition. You can only get these 50cl bottles at select Chivas distilleries.

Strathisla 1997/2012 (59,3%, OB, #SI 14 010)

Nose: Green apple, white grapes and some lemon. An almost beer-like quality at times, yeasty too. Finally some light chocolate. The nose feels a bit close and subdued.
Taste: Honey, sugar and caramel. Very sweet, almost like rum. The green fruit stays in the background, but is definitely there.
Finish: Fruity sweetness, lingers for a very long time.

Rating: 86

If you like your whisky sweet, than this is for you. The nose is too closed to warrant a higher score, but it is a dangerously drinkable whisky, even at this strength.

Picture: Whiskybase