Catto’s 25yo 150th Anniversary (40%, OB, 2011)

On the nose there is a significant amount of very good fruit (tinned fruit salad, over ripe peaches or pears) along with some dusty malt and very light wood notes. In many regards it presents as a malt; a little vague pipe smoke brings it altogether. Vanilla bean and a very little heather; everything is pulling together here. The taste is of cocoa, a lot of the fruit and some very good moments of the pipe smoke and surprisingly a hint or two of some green notes (the heather or roses?) either way it’s not important as it’s very slight and pleasant. Some good malt moments here, chewy and then some dryness. Again this does not taste like a blend and it’s all very good. Sensational actually. The finish shows some characteristics of being a blend but not matter since the ending mirrors the other two parts so very well. Some really excellent dark cake with chilies for the briefest of moments. Long luxurious and malty.

A very good whisky period. Any whisky enthusiast would be please to have this in their cabinet.

Score 91 points

Please read Press Release for further information on this whisky.

Part three of three this week looking at three very distinctive blended Scotch whiskies.