Strathearn Private Cask 9 Years Old 2014

This Strathearn single malt, a Private Cask bottling, a 9 year old distilled in 2014, from cask 104 and bottled at 54.1%. Strathearn is a tiny craft distillery near Methven in Highland Perthshire, founded in 2013. It is probably Scotland's smallest distillery, making about a barrel of spirit a day.

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. By eight or nine years the small casks have built a deep, rich character. Maturing in small fifty litre casks, the wood works fast, giving real depth in just a few years. Strathearn is probably Scotland's smallest distillery, making about a barrel of spirit a day. 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.

At a natural 54.1% it is bold and full. The ex-Bourbon lends vanilla and honey over a fruity, oily young spirit. Beneath it run citrus, creamy barley and a warm spice. It closes long, fruity and warm. This is a young, experimental malt from Scotland's smallest distillery.