Blended Malt Scotch Whisky 1997 MBl The Maltman (Meadowside Blending)

Blended Malt Scotch Whisky 1997 MBl The Maltman (Meadowside Blending) is a blended malt Scotch from Meadowside Blending, a vatting of single malts. Island malt from Tobermory on Mull can lend such whiskies a smoky or waxy depth. Blended malts marry single malts from more than one distillery to a house style.

The malts are vatted and married to a balanced whole, then bottled. It rested in ex-Bourbon oak for a honeyed sweetness. The maker selects casks for the character each brings. Both malts feed the Scottish Leader and Black Bottle blends as well as single malt. The distillery was refurbished and its stills renewed between 2017 and 2019. Mull's maritime climate works into the maturing casks over the years. It is one of the oldest commercial distilleries in Scotland still working. Tobermory has distilled in the island's harbour town since 1798. The town of Tobermory was laid out by the British Fisheries Society a decade before the distillery came.

At 45.8% it is smooth and full. Orchard fruit, a waxy malt and a gentle spice run through it, with a soft oak depth. The texture is oily and waxy, the fruit threaded through. The finish is deep, waxy and nutty. A characterful blended malt Scotch.