Gordon & MacPhail Connoisseurs Choice Balblair 31 Year Old 1993 (Cask 1961) - 49.5%

Distilled in 1993 followed by full maturation in a first fill sherry puncheon. Part of the Connoisseurs Choice range

Tasting notes

Appearance: Tawny colour, forms a thick line which falls as slow, thick legs

Nose: Dried fruit, light roast coffee beans, vanilla pods and baked apple

Palate: Dried fruit, brown sugar, dark chocolate enrobed candied orange peel, cinnamon and ginger. Water brings more fruit but adds tannic oak and a touch of bitter caramelised orange

Finish: Astringent oak tannins, dusty libraries, tobacco leaf, old leather, walnuts ginger and cinnamon 

Summary: A lovely old bottling with the extra maturation bringing plenty of complexity. The spice level is quite high for the age, but nonetheless a very enjoyable whisky.

The price currently on The Sample Guys website is a whopping £700, although that’s unsurprising given the age and the current market. As such it’s probably out of reach of the majority of whisky drinkers but if you’re looking for something special then it might be one to look at.

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