Strathmill 26 Year Old 1974 First Cask Single Cask #1215 Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky (2000) 70cl

This single malt was distilled at the Strathmill Distillery in Speyside. It was then hand-selected, produced and bottled by Direct Wines for the First Cask series.

First Cask is a generally undervalued series, with some fine examples of well-aged whiskies from renowned distilleries going for relatively low prices compared to similar ages and vintages from other independent bottlers or official releases.

The First Cask series seemed to have a keen taste for older muskier spirits that reflected the previous older distilling methods and all quite old. Usually older than 20 years of age for its members. What a time to have been alive back in the 1990s and 2000s drinking old scotch when nobody really focused on it. How the internet, events, festivals and life have changed everything for whisky itself and what it means to us.

None of these bottles disappoint at all. One sits there drinking it (or stands), taking in the nose and always being really surprised by the depth for a 46% bottle of whisky as you tell the person who is with you that they "have to smell this!" and then proceed to trying it and with less whisky, being more satisfied. After trying a few FC bottles, it is the same great experience every time. One cannot get enough of this.

First Cask bottles are highly collectable due to the large range of distilleries and vintages bottled. The series was bottled exclusively for the First Cask Whisky Circle, a select whisky club run by Direct Wines Ltd. The bottles were released to members four times a year and have since found their way onto the secondary market.

About Strathmill

Strathmill distillery was built in 1892 and was originally named Glenisla. Strathmill whisky is an integral part of the J&B blend. However, as a single malt in its own right, it is extremely elusive, with its first official bottling appearing in 2001 when it was bottled as part of the Flora & Fauna range.

The distillery’s main production quirk comes in the form of a purifier pipe running from the lyne arm into the body of the spirit stills.

Like Glenlossie and Glen Spey, this adds a lightly oily character to the new make, here picked up almost as olive oil which mixes well with the lightly fruity/grassy notes.

Thanks to the River Isla, Keith has a long history of milling, both for meal and weaving (the town still has a kilt museum). Two of those old mill sites have since been converted to distilleries, Glen Keith and Strathmill.

Built in 1892, it was originally called Glenisla (with -Glenlivet suffixed). Its original owners sold it in 1895 to W&A Gilbey which was by then building its holdings in Scotch [see Glen Spey, Knockando]. As Gilbey moved through various incarnations so Strathmill became an integral part of the J&B family.

Its only official release is as part of the Flora & Fauna range.

46% ABV

70cl