A Secret Islay Distillery 31 years 1990 - 2022

Tasting notes Ruben Luyten - WhiskyNotes: Score 90/100

Nose: wet wool, mineral notes and leather, as well as some waxy / fatty notes (sunflower oil) and faded ashes. Lime and a hint of pineapple. Fresh oil paint. Bright mint comes out as well. Whiffs of sea breeze in the background.

Mouth: more medicinal now. The antiseptics, embrocations and saline pungency quickly take the lead. Then mid-palate this makes place for fruity notes, like grapefruit, passion fruit and wee hints of guava. A few olives in brine and bitter almonds, leading to herbal tea in the end.

Finish: long, with citrusy notes, verbena and hints of iodine. Still this coastal salinity in the very end.

Not entirely unexpected, this is a great whisky. It starts gentle and refined on the nose, but becomes more intensely coastal and powerful on the palate. In short, an almost theatrical development.