Littlemill 1990 Cask Reflections Release N°1 33 yo

 

 

 

49,1°

Distillery : Littlemill - Lowlands 

Refill Bourbon Barrels and Mizunara Oak Finish

Original Bottling 

Limited Edition 

Single Malt 

Bottled in 2024

Uncoloured, Cask Strength

Totally Unpeated

 

 

 

It's been more than thirty years since the distillery was mothballed now, and there are not a lot of casks left. They were acquired by the Loch Lomond group, who keep them on their distillery site. A limited edition is released occasionally, each time more expensive, older and rarer. Here, we have a 33-year-old divided into 570 bottles. A finishing period of 4 months and two weeks in Mizunara oak casks will no doubt add a little more finesse to the woodiness. I would have liked to know whether the whisky was chill-filtered or not, but no one said. It's a shame, because it's important. The idea that it could be seems rather scandalous to me, for a product of this age and price. It's been almost a year since it was released, as the first in the Cask Reflections series, and I think the 2nd will be arriving soon.  

 

 

 

Let's Taste It : 

The woodiness is quite intense from the start, with dry bark, tinder, sandalwood, liquorice stick. Light, spongy candied fruits, grapefruit, papaya, yellow plums, discreet citrus notes mixed with forest nuances. Almond cream, mashed banana. On the palate, it's really smooth and balanced, rosewater, lychee, flower honey, white melon. The spices are not at all aggressive but very present, cinnamon, nutmeg. The finish is long and winding, with a return of liquorice, rough wood, bread cake, dried raisins, melting chocolate, fig paste, gingerbread, kiwi. 

 

In Short, 

I don't know if this kind of whisky is really made to be drunk, the price is so high that it will also attract investors, who won't touch a drop of it, and will be looking to sell it for more in ten years' time. That said, it has to be very good, so that the value is not lost. That's the paradox of whisky speculation. You have to be sure that it's very good, even if you never open the bottle. And so it is excellent, and even a little more so. The nose is the most impressive, but the palate is perfect too. The finish could have been a little longer, but it has other qualities, it's really varied and deep. In short, this is an exceptional whisky. The finish in Mizunara oak casks brings an intense woodiness and notes of creamy honey. I had a great time, and I wish I'd tasted this nectar in better conditions, perhaps my score could have been even better. 

Score : 91

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           To Be Listened While Sipping : 

 

                                           Dhafer Youssef - Soupir Eternel