Everything Over 20

The full line-up

Our September tasting was a premium one with all whiskies over 20 years old.

Glentauchers 22yo

Club chairman Martin told us that they were all Scottish but beyond that we didn't have much to go on, as we were trying them all blind.

Onto dram one then. We weren't sure where this came from at the first go round, but most of us were sure we liked it. It had a nice nose, with a bit of sweetness, then some cereal on the palate too. A fresh tasting vibe, with green apples in and around as well.

Martin revealed it was a Glentauchers. A bit of a club favourite Speyside distillery but rarely bottled other than by independents, this was indeed an indie from Alexander Murray, although less commonly it was one packaged for the American market.

Strathclyde 29yo

A 22-year-old matured in refill bourbon and distilled back in 1996, we paid £100 for this at auction. The official tasting notes told us it was a mixture of soft fruits, vanilla, toffee and honeyed malt. It was certainly a light and approachable way to start the evening, and was 40%.

The second whisky was dark brown in the glass. "Like furniture polish" as someone suggested. Despite appearances, Martin said that it was not full sherry maturation, but merely an oloroso finish, albeit in a proper Jerez oloroso butt. We certainly got that familiar nuttiness through quite strongly when tasting it.

Glenrothes 22yo

Dark and rich, other tasting notes included marzipan, plums, raisins, figs, brown sugar and cinnamon. Almost the whole Christmas cake, really.

This was an OLO bottling from the Strathclyde distillery, coming in at 29 years old. A grain, this was "very good... better than good" we felt. A big old punch in the mouth of a dram. It was 48.6% and we paid £110 for it, once again at auction.

The sherry theme continued for the third drink. This was a "hello, how are you?" whisky, said someone, in reference to the (in)famous viral clip of moustachioed blender Richard Paterson. This was also from a sherry butt, and gave us a dryness, like a Rich Tea biscuit. But also spices, dates, treacle and that nuttiness again. A warming dram all round.

Mannochmore 34yo

This turned out to be a Glenrothes, 22 years old and bottled by Cadenhead's for members of its club. Some of us felt water brought out the dried fruits that little bit more. At £80 this was something of a bargain. It was 54.7%.

The half-time break brought a chance to refill our beer glasses downstairs at the Seven Oaks, before returning for the remaining three drams.

And number four brought us a sweet shop vibe. Sherbet and pear drops all round for this one. Some thought it a bit 'meh' but others described it as very nice, even "yummy".

Deanston 30yo

Another Speyside, Martin told us we were drinking a 34-year-old Mannochmore. Cask strength but down at 44.7% after all that time, it was matured in a single bourbon cask and bottled by Claxton's. We paid £200 although the RRP was £260. The supplied tasting notes suggested mature apples, vanilla, citrus, almonds and a bit of smokiness.

Off to a Highland distillery for number five, was Martin's initial clue. Not much on the nose perhaps, but a great palate, really powerful and flavourful.

The big reveal told us it was a 30-year-old from Deanston, bottled by one of our most-loved indies, Whiskybroker. It was great value as ever at £130. "This is fabulous" was one comment summing up the room.

Ardmore 29yo

To finish something smoky. "It's ashy and peaty... nice to get an old smoky one." Martin told us we didn't have an Islay, it was from somewhere else.

After a bit of back and forth trying to guess, we were informed we had a 29-year-old Ardmore, bottled courtesy of Woodrow's of Edinburgh. It's rare to get something peated at the age away from the Islay distilleries. Another surprise: it had held up well as a 56.6%.

The RRP was £270. "It's nae pish" was someone's perspective. An excellent, delicious whisky, it was subtle yet smoky, really something quite special, even amid such a high-quality line-up.

Which brought us to the dram of the night voting. It would have to be something good to beat the Ardmore and in fact it was pushed into second place by dram four, the Mannochmore picking up 10 votes, with seven for Ardmore, six going to the Strathclyde and then five apiece for the Glenrothes and the Deanston. A close vote telling us what strength in depth Martin had conjured up for us. Thanks to him and all club members and guests for another successful premium tasting!