Millstone 1996 19 YO - Special No. 9

Millstone 1996 19 YO - Special No. 9, 49.4 %

Millstone 1996 19 YO - Special No. 9

A really old whisky from Zuidam Distillers, located in the Netherlands, today. The Millstone 1996 19 YO - Special No. 9 was matured in a single Oloroso sherry butt. It was distilled on 1996-10-25, and bottled 2016-09-02. The total outturn was 300 bottles.

I am currently working my way through a few old and new bottlings from Zuidam Distillers. If you haven't tried anything from them yet, then it is time for you to go explore high quality single malt from the Netherlands!

Nose: Oooh, a lovely sherry nose. Not a sherry bomb, but a refined and delicate creation. Light caramel, almond paste, soft leather, hints of polish. Dark, red berries and figs. Hints of oranges in the back, as well as memories of aniseed. Very very rich! Wih time even more figs and dates, as well as dried apricots. Soooo rich! Love this nose.

Taste: Full-bodied and rich mouthfeel. Spicy and sweet on the initial attack. Again a little dry, but not oaky. Dried fruits, tropical fruits. Creamy and perhaps a touch salty. Leather, but less so than on the nose.

Finish: Long finish. The oakiness does make an appearance now. A little astringent towards the end, but it works fine even for me. Dried fruits (figs mainly) and spices (cloves, pepper). A little drier now.

Comments: A wonderful dram! The best whisky I've had from Zuidam Distillery so far. Brilliant stuff!

Score (91/100)

Sláinte!

- Thomas