Tasting: Littlemill 24 yo 1990 – 2015 by Cadenhead’s

Dram data:
Distillery: Littlemill
Bottler: Cadenhead’s
Distilled: 1990
Bottled: 2015
Age: 24 years
Limitation: 582 Bottles
Casks: Bourbon hogsheads
Alcohol: 53,7%
unchillfiltered; uncoloured
Whiskybase link

Tasting notes:
Colour: light gold
The nose is prototypical Littlemill. Lots of fruit skins – apples, grapes, pears. Also notes of citrus, white peaches, apple juice, diluted grape juice, rhubarb, grapefruit, milled stone dust and a light sweet white wine note in the background. The alcohol is also quite strong with this malt, but not overpowering. More “continental fruits” sweetness as time passes. With some water added more light fruits start to appear – slightly green pineapple and Kiwi – and the alcoholic note fades. The palate (undiluted) is quite minerally, citrussy and “skinny” (i.e. fruit skins) on the arrival with a slight “white fruit” sweetness in the background. Adding a bit of water brings out slightly unripe gooseberries and mirabelles. This is not overpowered by the wood, a light, citrussy, but sophisticated lowland malt. The medium long finish starts off zesty, with a “green”, dry, herbal, chalky note and some continental fruits (sans the sweetness) appearing later on.

Verdict:
Ah yes, this is prototypical Littlemill aged in not overpowering casks, letting the lowland spirit of this closed distillery shine. The profile is zesty, fruity (but not sweet) with a chalky, mineral touch. If you like you whisky full-on, peaty, sherried or intensely sweet, well, this is not for you. But if you like well-aged, distillery-character driven Lowlanders (and especially if you like Littlemill) this is probably a must-have. And it is very well-priced too, compared to other current offerings from this closed and dismantled distillery. Well, it was well-priced until Serge came along and broke the news that this is a fantastic malt, good luck finding a bottle now without paying an arm and a leg to the greedy, speculating profiteers…

Score: 90/100
(Nose: 90 Palate: 89 Finish: 89)

Thanks to Cadenhead’s Austria for the sample