Cambus 1975 40 YO (Special Releases 2016)

Cambus 1975 40 YO (Special Releases 2016), 52,7 %

I have now managed to get my hands on samples of some of the Diageo Special Release 2016 whiskies. And if you're wondering; "getting my hands on" means I have tracked them down and paid for them. First off we have the Cambus 1975 40 YO (Special Releases 2016). This is apparently the oldest ever official bottling of Cambus single grain whisky. It has been aged in refill American oak hogsheads. This was a limited release of just 1812 bottles.

You can still buy this exclusive whisky in Norway at NOK 6500 (6391501), or you can pay near the double in Sweden at SEK 11402 (2026301). It is still available in the UK as well, at GBP 750.

Nose: Light and delicate at first, but give it a few minutes and you will be well rewarded. This is deep and complex. There's a lot of spices and fruits and other aromas dancing a merry dance here. I find cinnamon, ginger, vanilla, fudge, coconut oil, pineapple, apples, A hint of freshly baked gingerbread men in the background. Cream and washing machine powder (?).

Taste: Oily and smooth mouthfeel. A fine mix of spices balance the sweetness to perfection here. On one hand we have nutmeg, cardamom, cinnamon, white pepper, aniseed and a touch of chilli. On the other we have light fruit drops (apple, pear, pineapple) and fruit juices.

Finish: Long finish. The aniseed and licorice dominates now. This is the purest form of licorice (unsweetened) I have found in any whisky. How weird and fun! There's a faint hint of vegetable beef soup right at the end. Also weird and fun!

Comments: A fantastic grain whisky that you really can get lost in.

Score (92/100)

Image from Master of Malt.

Sláinte! - Thomas