Decadent Drinks just launched their June release. Today we’ll look at the three whiskies that piqued my interest most – although I’m confident all of them are quality drams.
We’ll start with a 52-year-old blended grain Scotch whisky distilled in 1972. Is this the oldest Decadent Drinks to date? Maybe, but I’m too lazy to check. There’s no record of which grain whiskies make up this blend. All we know is that they were blended at birth into a refill barrel.
Next up is a Highland Park 20 Years, part of Decadent Drinks’ Whiskyland range. It’s a vatting of a 2005 first-fill sherry hogshead with a 1997 refill hogshead. (So on average a decent bit older than its stated age.)
Finally we’ll end with The Marketing Malt. It isn’t the first time Decadent Drinks has used this clever moniker for an undisclosed Macallan. Probably won’t be the last either. This particular edition matured for 16 years in a first-fill European oak sherry hogshead.
All these whiskies should still be available from the Decadent Drinks website. Or at least they where when I scheduled this post yesterday.
Blended Grain Scotch Whisky 1972 52 Years (50.8%, Decadent Drinks, 2025)
Nose: What would a grain whisky be without a hint of nail polish remover? Then ester-y, fruity hints of pineapple, bright oranges and pear drops alongside coconut shavings and some light notes of potpourri. Finally a touch of sandalwood too, as well as a sprinkle of white pepper. Given time it moves into darker territory. Maybe some damp wood, possible umami notes and even some blackcurrants.
Taste: Good, creamy mouthfeel with whispers of muscovado sugar, dark caramel, melon and lemon grass. There’s a gentle herbaciousness highlighted by crushed mint leaves, but also cracked black peppercorns, molasses and mushy bananas.
Finish: Medium length with a hints of orange liqueur, cane sugar and honey.
Highland Park 20 Years (55.5%, Decadent Drinks ‘Whiskyland’, Chapter Sixteen)
Nose: Hints of damp oak, dunnage floor and waxy lemons alongside slivers of charcoal and honeyed floral notes. The earthy peat smoke is present but subdued, while there’s also a syrupy, sherried element alongside soft farmy notes. High quality stuff that becomes more savoury as time goes on.
Taste: Dry, earthy peat with a good amount of soot and light notes of liquorice. There’s a touch of honey and soy sauce as well as stroopwafels, fennel and camphor. Hints of tobacco, soft herbal notes and dates too. Finally whisper of teak and a pinch of pepper.
Finish: Medium to long. Sandalwood, burlap and hints of mushrooms, as well as asphalt.
The Marketing Malt 16 Years (53%, Decadent Drinks, 2025)
Nose: Whiffs of prunes, cocoa powder and blackcurrants, as well as cinnamon buns and a slight note of aceto di balsamico. There’s a touch of walnut skins too, as well as some cigar boxes, pralines and cappuccino. Oh, and lets not forget dates.
Taste: Hints of cedar accompanied by cloves and crème de cassis, but also some proper dark chocolate (70% and up). Slightly sticky maybe – its mouthfeel that is. Also prunes, cranberries and raisins alongside a pleasant herbal edge.
Finish: Medium to long with lingering oak spices, mocha and herbs.
Samples provided by Decadent Drinks
