today I will have a closer look into this Whisky:
Blended Scotch Whisky 40yo Living Souls Batch 1
I got this sample from a bottle share in China.
What are my expectations? Well, considering the color, cask, age and ABV I expect this Whisky to be quite complex. I expect the oak to be quite intense but hopefully not too tart and bitter. I also hope to find what some people call the OBP (old bottle profile) especially considering the age of this blend. I really looking forward to trying this one. But first give it some time in the glass to breath. In this case considering the age I will let it breath for at least one hour.
During that time, I will have it covered. I use my tulip shaped WhiskyYoda glass.
Let’s see if it can surprise me and that hopefully in a positive way 🙂
Appearance:
Color: clear Copper. Oily as the streaks on the glass flow down slowly.
Nose: 84/100 points
slightly smoky at first combined with menthol and mint. Tropical fruits like a mix of pineapple, mango, peaches and nectarines. It is a bit sweet which could be chocolate. it smells much younger than 40 years. The oak is present but also appears to be younger oak flavors instead of the older once I expected. Overall, a very reserved nose. Thought it would be more flavorful. From an OBP I don’t feel anything in the nose.
Taste: 86/100 points
here I have right from the beginning again the slightly smoky flavors, but the menthol and mint flavors are now more restrained. The sweet flavors are now more intense and combine nicely with the tropical fruit flavors. The fruits I get are the same as the once in the nose but this time also some figs show up. The Oak seems to be a bit older now and I also get a hint of the OBP. But not as intense as I hoped for. It also appears oily and a bit soapy. Overall, quite smooth and soft.
Finish: 85/100 points
rather short to medium length in the finish with same flavors as the once on the palate. Here the OBP is the strongest but still not as strong as expected.
Conclusion:
it disappointed me a bit I have to say. With this age I expect from a blend that it shows that OBP profile but that wasn’t the case here. Don’t get me wrong though. It is not a bad Whisky. Easy drinking and smooth. Overall nice. But if you expected to find a blend which can live up to its age statement, you’ll be disappointed. From the Sherry Butt is literally nothing to find in this blend. The low ABV is one reason why the flavors aren’t that intense. It appears much younger than 40 years imho. In a blind tasting I would have guessed an age of 18 years. It’s a good Whisky but something is missing to make it special. couldn’t convince me to the fullest. Find it overrated when I see the ratings on Whiskybase. But as I mention often: Tastes are different.
Overall I give this Whisky: 85/100 WhiskyYoda points
here are some more detailed bottle information:
| Brand | Living Souls | Cask/Batch# | Batch 1 |
| Series | Batch #1 | Vintage | n/a |
| Region | Scotland | Bottled | 2024 |
| Bottler | Living Souls (LiSo) | Age | 40yo |
| Type | Blended Scotch Whisky | Non-Cillfiltered | yes |
| Casks | Refill Sherry Butt (ex Islay) | Natural color | yes |
| ABV | 41.2% | Whiskybase ID: | 264536 |
