Whisky : Girvan 34 Year SMWS G7.15 “Mind-altering hugs”

Country/Region : Scotland/Lowlands

ABV : 57.2%

Cask : 32Y Ex-Bourbon, 2Y New Oak Hogshead, Heavy Toast/Medium Char

Age : 34 Years (Distilled 28 May 1984)

Nose :  Cedar, lacquered wood, popcorn, and gooey butterscotch.  Intensely woody with interesting kettle-corn undertones that veer between salt, arare, and caramelized corn sugars.  Rich pancake syrup comes and goes along with markers and licorice.

Palate :  A stuffy, old, and rarely opened wooden liquor cabinet.  Antique furniture in a hot attic, cedar wood, wood polish, and old Ryokan floors.  Sweet and pleasantly astringent, notes of caramel, herbal licorice, creme brûlée, and creamy custard linger on an oily, viscous, and palate coating body.

Finish : Very long and warming with peppery sweet wood notes and custard.

Score : 6

Mental Image : Antique Flee Market

Something Better : Port Charlotte 13Y; R&BT (similar dust/antique notes, more savory/earthy)

Something Similar : Cooley 13Y; Exclusive Malts (similar antiques/sweet dessert, more leather/citrus)

Something Worse : Linkwood 29Y SMWS 39.180 (similar antiques/butterscotch, more tea/astringency)

Notes : Before you put too much stock in my grade, I should confess that this was hands down the favorite bottle at our local tasting.  It was not my favorite— that was a Caol Ila (SMWS 53.305)— however, it would be remiss of me to not straight away admit that while this did not really tickle my fancy, it was immensely popular with other tasters.  They loved the thick mouthfeel and the rich intensity of the sweet wood notes.  I think for many tasters the bottle was full of nostalgia and surfaced memories of childhood adventures exploring cupboard and attic spaces.  The creamy notes that develop on the back half of the palate lingered quite long on the finish.  Indeed, the finish on this was very strong and just seemed to hang on the palate forever.