So this is an interesting blend. The Syndicate 58/6 12 Years Old has been around for a very long time indeed. The story behind this curiosity goes like this.
A blend of 18 single malt en 4 single grain whiskies was discovered in a warehouse in 1958. It was distilled in 1954, using a recipe that reportedly dates back to the 19th century. A quantity was bottled for a close group of friends in 1966, made possible by 6 accountants and lawyers, hence the name “Syndicate 58/6”.
This blended whisky ages using a solera system. It means that everytime a portion is taken from the solera vat for a new batch of bottles, the vat is topped up with additional 12 year old whiskies. Thus the syndicate blend still contains a small amount of the original 1954 blend.
Before bottling, it spends up to two years in Oloroso sherry casks.
Syndicate 58/6 12 Years Old (40%, Douglas Laing, 2018)
Nose: Very mature and balanced, with aromas of orange, honey, and candle wax, as well as ripe banana. Very inviting, with a touch of oak, breakfast cereals, macadamia nuts and burlap.
Taste: Rich and sweet, with some subtle spices. Candied citrus notes, plenty of caramel, and orange marmalade too. A hint of toasted oak and ginger as well. Slightly bitter.
Finish: Lingering bitterness, before returning to sweeter notes.
Rating: 86
Top notch blend, for a very good price as well. I don’t even mind that it’s bottled at 40 percent.
Sample provided by Douglas Laing
