Description

A 23 year old St Magdalene whisky. Bottled at cask strength by Diageo as part of their Rare Malts series – a historic selection of single malt whiskies from operational and lost distilleries that were released by Diageo between 1995 and 2005. This St. Magdalene was distilled in 1970, it was then aged for 23 years, before being bottled in 1994.

The St Magdalene distillery was closed in 1983 and partly demolished, the remaining buildings were converted into apartments.

Colour: gold.

Nose:
Proper Swiss Gruyère melted in balsamico, stearin, shoe polish, with some menthol, turpentine, linseed oil, sulphur candles (not burnt), kirschwasser and ham? With water: amazing waxy grasses, suet, fresh almonds, perhaps seal blubber, ski wax, wool and mint leaves.

Taste:
(Neat): a hi-power nutty and leafy start, full of walnuts, wood-smoked fish, grapefruits, bitter almonds, amontillado, many oils and a growing tartness. Tends to become superbly bitter, chartreusey, very leafy. Artichokes and eggplants in the background. With water: this is where it will start to sing if you give it time, reaching a pinnacle that’s rather easy to miss if you’re not an attentive and patient taster. Superb lemons, many green teas, green pu-ehr and just all kinds of waxes and oils. Very, very long and breath-taking development if you give it time.

Finish:
Long, grassy, mentholy, herbal and pretty salty. Some kind of limey vegetable bouillon in the aftertaste. Miso and tofu too.