Whisky: Glen Mhor 25 Year (1970), Campbell & Clark Limited

Country/Region: Scotland/Highland

ABV: 45%

Cask: Oak

Age: 25 Years (Distilled 1970)

Nose:  Fruit and earth with wispy smoke— candle wicks and struck match heads expanded toward an underlying leathery-earthy funk; tropical vibes emerged with botanical spice and aromatic wood; slightly industrial with motor garages, dirty rags, and leather polish.

Palate: Medium-bodied with big musty fruits, botanicals, leather, and an industrial or garage quality; dried and pickled plums with red ginger and black cardamon; musty dates in syrups, aromatic woods, achiote seeds, plumeria and earth; more motor garage and leather toward the end with hints of balsamic or cola.

Finish: Long and lingering with mellow dried fruits and an old musty garage.

Score: 8-9 (90)

Mental Image: Motor Biking Country Roads

Narrative & Notes: I initially tried this blind as part of an online whisky group mystery advent calendar.  A few samples got a bit delayed and became more like a Spring mystery series. This had all the underlying dirty and industrial notes I would expect to find on an older malt with a delicious blanket of sherry and vaguely tropical fruits over musty garage and leather. The aroma was a touch shy at times, but the palate was bursting with well-structured and balanced layers of flavor. If there were any negatives, it was the touch of bitterness at the end and the simplicity of the fruits.

The various fruit, earth, and industrial elements brought to mind Bowmore or perhaps even Glen Esk; the fact that this was the final dram in the mystery calendar made both of those seem like solid possibilities. It turns out my Glen Esk suspicions were not far off; the dram was a 25-year Glen Mhor. Truly a special whisky to end the blind tasting series and one that I revisited a few months later to celebrate wrapping up the final grading sprint of the semester.

Overall, a fantastic dram and one that left me wanting more.