Strathisla 33 Years Old 1987 Cask #3053 (Connoisseurs Choice)

A Strathisla single malt, selected and bottled by Gordon & MacPhail matured to 33 year old from 1987, drawn from cask 3053 and bottled at 56.8%. 174 bottles in all. Strathisla, founded in 1786 by Taylor and Milne in Keith, in the heart of Speyside, is the home of Chivas Regal. Strathisla is the fruity heart of Chivas Regal, owned by Chivas Brothers since 1950.

It was drawn off the distillery's short copper stills, for a fruity, honeyed spirit with real weight. Maturation came in ex-Bourbon wood, with vanilla under the orchard fruit. Beyond twenty five years the malt grows deep and waxy, dried fruit, honey and almond over old oak. The slow loss of the angel's share concentrates the honeyed, fruity core over time. Keith is one of Speyside's old whisky towns, north of the Cairngorms. The distillery is a centrepiece of the Malt Whisky Trail and the home of Chivas. Gordon and MacPhail have released Strathisla vintages reaching back to the 1930s and 1950s.

At a hearty 56.8% it carries real weight. A gentle vanilla and cream from the wood, with pear, honey and a buttery malt. The texture is rich and creamy, the fruit lifted by honey. The finish is deep, waxy and fruity. This is a rich, honeyed Speyside single malt.