Strathearn Private Cask 4 Years Old 2019

A distillery bottling of Strathearn, a Private Cask bottling, a 4 year old distilled in 2019, from cask 19-029 and bottled at 59.2%. Only 54 bottles were released. Strathearn, founded in 2013, is one of Scotland's first and smallest new wave distilleries. Water comes from Loch Turret, the distillery housed in a 160 year old stone steading.

Distilled in two tiny alembic copper stills made in Portugal, giving a characterful, oily young make. A small sherry cask drove a quick, rich dried fruit character. At this young age the small casks have already given real depth, the fruit vivid. The experimental approach means every cask brings something of its own. Its two tiny stills are alembic copper pots made in Portugal, the kind used for brandy. Fermentations run very long, up to six days, to coax out plenty of flavour. The spirit matures in small fifty litre casks, a quarter the size of a standard barrel.

At its natural 59.2% it is concentrated. The Oloroso brings dried fruit, fig and a nutty depth over a fruity, oily spirit. The mouthfeel is oily, the fruit carried on a spirited body. A long, characterful finish lingers. This is a characterful malt from one of Scotland's first micro distilleries.