Strathmill

   

Strathmill distillery as the name suggests was developed on the site of a mill, actually a corn mill which was built in 1823 with the conversion to a distillery coming in 1891, although the name Strathmill wasn't used then as the distillery was originally called Glenisla-Glenlivet.

W&A Gilbey (known for their gin) bought the distillery in 1895 and changed the name to Strathmill.

In 1962 W&A Gilbey merged with United Wine Traders to form International Distillers & Vintners (IDV) which was a predecessor to Diageo.

 
 

A new pair of stills were added in 1968 and at the same time the spirit stills were fitted with purifiers in order to produce a lighter style of spirit.

Watney Mann bought IDV in 1972 and in the same year merged with Grand Metropolitan Hotels and the new owners put Justerini & Brooks in charge of Strathmill.

Diageo are still the owners today.

 
 

Distillery photo by kind permission of Teun Van Wel

 

More great distillery info here thanks to Malt Madness

 

 

 

Original Distillery Bottlings (OB)

 

General whisky characteristics: Faint nose, stronger palate with fruity finish

 
 

 

Strathmill, Flora & Fauna, 12y, 43% ABV

Typical cost of this bottle; €€€€€

 
 

Glass: Spiegelau

Colour: Light gold

Nose: Faint and slow to develop. When it does develop it's almost like a bowl of nuts in a light sea-breeze.

Palate: Interesting; liquorice and oak with hints of aniseed and ending with something fruity (raspberry?)

Finish: Medium, dry and fruity.

Overall Impression: The palate offers far more than the quite faint nose. I especially like the finish, albeit a little short.

 

   
 

 

Strathmill, Managers Choice, distilled 1996, 60.1% ABV

American Oak - New Wood, one of 300 bottles

Typical cost of this bottle; €€€€€

 
 

Glass: Classic Malt

Colour: Light yellow, pale gold

Nose: Fresh and not very penetrating with some oak, vanilla, even a hint of custard and almost a faint smokiness.

Palate: Smooth and rich, creamy fruit but it does need some water.

With 4 drops of water: Much spicier and lots more vanilla.

With a further 5 drops of water: A little more wood and less vanilla. Very spicy right on the front of the palate.

With 5 more drops of water: Tingling vanilla sauce on a fruit cocktail.

Finish: Very long and even longer with water. Also fruity and creamy.

Overall Impression: A very spicy dram getting more so with the water it really needs. Good, but not a favourite.

 

   

 

 

Independent Bottlings (IB)

   
 

 

Archives, Strathmill, 6.1974 - 6.2011, 44.5% ABV

Inaugural Release, Bourbon Hogshead, Cask No.1231, one of 180 bottles

Typical cost of this bottle; €€€€

 
 

Glass: Classic Malt

Colour: Solid gold

Nose: Initially fruity woody vanilla and then I'm reminded of a toasted teacake oozing with butter. Then comes even more vanilla accompanied by light butterscotch. This is very aromatic.

Palate: Slightly musty and leafy vanilla & butterscotch, all nicely balanced even if not overly complex.

Finish: Medium to long, very gentle and soothing.

Overall Impression: I like this, very nice indeed with a good but light character. An 'anytime' dram.

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

© Copyright 2009-2020 by Keith Wood - All rights reserved - Whisky-Emporium / Whisky-Emporium is not responsible for the content of external websites