Strathmill 2006 NSS Cask Series 020

today I will have a closer look into this Whisky:

Strathmill Vintage 2006 from North Star Spirits – Cask Series 020

I got this sample from a bottle share in China. A friend did his own Flora & Fauna Series where he selected 10 different whiskies from, for the main public, lesser-known distilleries. This was the first of his series I have tried.

What are my expectations? Well that I can’t tell in this case because I had this one as a blind sample. The sample bottle was only labeled as “Red Deer”. But with a look at the color, I expect it to have a sherry or port cask influence and for that I might find many fruits in its profile. Let’s see. First, as usual, I let it rest a couple of minutes in the glass. I choose to let it rest for 20 minutes.
During that time, I will have it covered.

Let’s see if it can surprise me and that hopefully in a positive way 🙂

Appearance:
Color: Copper and very clear. medium oily as the streaks on the glass flow back semi slow.

Nose: 88/100 points
the Alcohol is a bit present, so I guess the ABV is about 58%+. A bit sulfur at the beginning which indicates that there was a sherry cask involved. Plums, raisins and red berries step forward. I get a slightly smoky note. Spicy oak come through as well as herbs and floral flavors. Orange peels and a bit grass.

Taste: 88/100 points
creamy fruity sweet the start. Red and dried fruits, plums and the orange peels are also here the main fruit flavors. Now it becomes a bit spicy but one could also think it ia again the light smoky note from the nose. Oak and caramel show themself and some floral notes come through. Strong and flavorful on the palate.

Finish: 87/100 points
The finish shows exactly the same flavors as the palate with the difference that now also the sulfur is noticeable here. But as before there could also be a slightly smoky flavor as well.

Conclusion:
Very intensive. Nice profile and quite complex. I like this kind of profile al lot. Very good whisky.
But what is my guess it could be this blind sample?
Ok, considering that there might be a slightly smoky flavor I would guess that this Whisky comes from the Scottish Highlands/Speyside. Casks I would say first fill Sherry casks. Alcohol 55%+ but maybe more direction 58%. Distillery? Not one I tried a lot. Can’t make out a distinct character profile. This one reminds me somehow of a Blair Athol. Age? I would guess somewhere between 12yo and 16yo. The oak is not strong or old enough that I would be older. But I for sure can be very wrong 🙂

The Result shows that I wasn’t that far off 🙂

Overall I give this Whisky: 88/100 WhiskyYoda points