Reviews of scotch and world whiskies by a history professor, his wife, bird, and three cats.

Littlemill 25 Year (1989), Hart Brothers for North Sea Bottlers

Littlemill 25 Year (1989), Hart Brothers for North Sea Bottlers

Whisky: Littlemill 25 Year (1989), Hart Brothers for North Sea Bottlers

Country/Region: Scotland/Lowland

ABV: 52.1%

Cask: First Fill Sherry Butt

Age: 25 Years (Distilled Oct. 1989, Bottled April 2015)


Nose: Dried berries and baking spices bloomed with the spirited and chemical smell of a new Sharpie marker, subtle leather and flourless dark chocolate cake with touch of rich balsamic.

Palate: Medium-bodied and oily with prominent wood and more subtle tropical fruit candies, guava and mango candies with a touch of grassy sugar cane; peppery toward the end with subtle tobacco and baking spices, more orange and oak lingered at the end.

Finish: Medium-length and a touch peppery with tropical fruit candies, wood, and a kiss of dark chocolate.


Score: 6 (77)

Mental Image: Rainforest Flavored Trail Mix

Narrative & Notes: I initially tried this Littlemill during a 1989-themed whisky tasting. Going into the tasting, it was one of the bottles I was most excited to try. I have had precious few opportunities to try Littlemill, and it is always a delight to try such an uncommon or long-closed distillery. While the bottle was in good condition, with no label or physical damage, and a good fill level, I wonder if the storage conditions were suboptimal at some point. I can think of no other reason why my score is so much lower than the 90-point Whiskybase average.

I found the whisky tepid, over-oaked, and oddly chemical at times, three things that spoiled the more enjoyable notes of tropical fruit candies on the palate and a bit of cask-driven balsamic on the nose. It was significantly more enjoyable when I returned to it in the quiet of my study, yet it remained a touch disappointing. At the very least, given other reviews, it never hit the heights I expected.

I rarely look up other reviews before I write my own, but as I tried to collect my thoughts on this whisky, I went ahead and decided to see what others had said, expecting to find similar disappointment. It was almost more disappointing seeing that I was alone. Some of the reviews on Whiskybase do not sound all that appetizing or as though the author enjoyed the bottle, but the scores reflect widespread acclaim.

Overall, I would give this a second chance if I had a chance to try a different bottle, but otherwise it was not to my taste.

North Port 22 Year (1982), Private Cellar

North Port 22 Year (1982), Private Cellar

Littlemill 21 Year (1992), Single Cask Collection Cask 20

Littlemill 21 Year (1992), Single Cask Collection Cask 20