Review 128: Archives Strathmill 1974-2011

Now that I've reviewed all those Johnnie Walker blends, let's get properly haughty again and review some obscure old malt whisky.  Wouldn't want people to start thinking of me as unconceited! Today let's tackle a Strathmill from 1974. It rested in a bourbon hogshead for 37 years before being bottled in 2011. I'm very excited to review this dram, because not only have I not reviewed a Strathmill before, but I've never even tasted one! Promisingly, this release is from the Dutch bottler Archives, who I've had good luck with so far. Let's get to it!

Archives Strathmill 1974-2011

Color: Amber +0

ABV: 44.5%

Aroma Neat:
Perfumed Bananas, Lemon Drops, Toasted Vanilla, Apple Blossoms, Crayon Wax, Acai Berries, Buttery Smooth Oak, Gently Floral/Violets, Rosewater, Gumdrops, Sweet Red Apples, Varnish (a trace), Dusty Honey, Grain Husks, Cinnamon, Raisins.

Surprisingly vivacious for a whisky that's nearly four decades old! Lots of American oak character to, as may be expected, though it's fresher than anticipated. Quite fruity and multidimensional. Rather waxy.

Aroma Water:
Ripe Bananas, Rich Vanilla, Toasted Coconut, Red Apples, Cinnamon, Candle Wax, Nectarine/Mango (slightly), Dusty Oak/Freshly Sawed, Figs and Dates in Honey, Soft Grains/Oatcake, Varnish/Wood Glue (slightly), Dried Peaches.

More American oak influence than neat, but there's still plenty of fruit. They're even some tropical notes creeping in. Very appealing.

Taste Neat:
Waxy Honey, Lemon, Oak, Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Aromatic Barrel Char, Plums, Red Currants, Aromatic Vanilla.

I'd not guess this was a 37 year old whisky. As with the nose, it's very fruity, but the wood influence is not huge. It seems this was a from refill barrel, which is fortunate because it lets this deliciously waxy and fruity whisky shine.

Taste Water:
Wax (candles n' more) Vanilla, Light Barrel Char, Sweet Oak (with light tannins), Juicy Apples, Cinnamon, Stewed Plums, Figs (slightly).

Not too different from neat, but I was very conservative with the water, given the age and ABV of this malt. Also, I only have an ounce to work with! The palate gets woodier with water, like the nose. The wood influence is still in proportion to the other flavors, though. This is nowhere close to over-oaked!

Finish:
Cinnamon, Vanilla, Warm Oak, Stewed Apples, Gummy Candies, Dried Cranberries.

Light and aperitif like in style, but warmingly spicy and lasting. A trace of fruity bitterness smartly caps the experience.

Conclusion:
Fruit, wax, and American oak rule the fresh nose.

Somewhat wood, but very fruity palate is clean and refreshing, but also very mature and integrated.

Medium-long lasting finish with excellent complexity. It leaves me wanting more.

Rating: 88/100

A really good example of a fruity, old-style whisky. Great quality throughout. I definitely wish I had more than a sample! For my next review I'll taste another whisky from 1974!

Josh