I have a soft spot for Cutty Sark; when I first got into whisky a family member relayed that it was my grandmother’s favorite whisky. Her family hailed from the Isle of Skye, though she was born in the United States a decade or so after they immigrated, and she maintained a connection to Scotland. As a child I remember her heading off with my grandfather to visit relatives, and seek out his much more distant family connections, in between rounds of golf. 

I was much too young to catch the details of the trips, or the scotch she liked to pour and enjoy at home. All I remember was her love and support, the rest has been filled in over the years, and whenever I see an older Cutty Sark, from the time she was alive, I like to imagine some connection between us given a little spark of life.

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Whisky: Cutty Sark Blended Scots Whisky (c. 1983-1985) 

Country/Region: Scotland/Blend

ABV: 43%

Cask: Oak

Age: N/A

Notes: Subtle and gentle, the aroma spoke of musty shag carpets and lemonade as citrus, grapefruit, mothballs, glue, and the scent of old tobacco stained wallpaper arrived. A touch of canvas and freshly waxed floors put me in mind of an art gallery showroom. Light-bodied on the palate, the flavors were similar with a musty art studio full of canvas, oil paints, linseed oil, lemons, tangerines, and a touch of late summer fruit stuffed mochi. Mothballs and cigarette smoke generally hid in the background with more waxed wooden floors and scrap from canvas stretching— as musty and odd as the aroma could be, the palate was fairly tame and easy drinking. The finish was short, though gradually extended a bit by the end of the glass, with waxy citrus peel, canvas, and mineral oil. 

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Score: 6 (78)

Mental Image: Art Gallery Reception Night

Conclusion: Subtle and restrained, this was a whisky for relaxing rather than analyzing— but I love to spend at least a little time thinking through everything I drink. Some nights this struck me as having a bit of cabbage water to the flavor, typically a sign of degeneration of the whisky flavor compounds over the decades, but just as often it was bright clear beyond some initial mustiness. More often it was the aroma that felt a bit overly musty, while the palate was pleasant and balanced. The flavors were enjoyable and I could see myself kicking back with a dram of this. There was some strong nostalgia to each pour as my thoughts drifted to my late paternal grandmother and her penchant for scotch whisky.