Strathdearn 2013 Sxwh Modern Beauty Standards (Sexywhisky)

A Strathearn single malt, selected by Sexywhisky and bottled at 44.3%. Just 36 bottles were filled. Strathearn is a tiny craft distillery near Methven in Highland Perthshire, founded in 2013. Fermentations run very long, up to six days, to draw out plenty of flavour.

The spirit was run through small alembic stills after a very long fermentation, to build a vibrant, experimental spirit. A small ex-Bourbon cask shaped it, lending vanilla and honey fast. With no age statement, it shows the bold, fruity character of a young craft malt. A very long fermentation builds the fruity esters that the small stills concentrate. The distillery makes gin and rum alongside its experimental whisky. It sits in deepest Perthshire, between Crieff and the whisky town of Perth. Maris Otter barley and a very long ferment give the distillers plenty to work with. Strathearn is probably Scotland's smallest distillery, making about a barrel of spirit a day.

At an approachable 44.3% it is bright and balanced. The ex-Bourbon lends vanilla and honey over a fruity, oily young spirit. The mouthfeel is oily, the fruit carried on a spirited body. A long, characterful finish lingers. This is a vibrant young malt from the new wave of distilling.