Strathisla 2003 16 YO The Distillery Reserve Collection

Strathisla 2003 16 YO The Distillery Reserve Collection, 62.6 %

Here is another cask strength, single cask release from a Chivas Brothers (Pernod Ricard) owned distillery. The Strathisla 2003 16 YO The Distillery Reserve Collection was distilled 2003-02-10, and bottled 2019-05-07. It was matured in a single 2nd fill butt (cask #7352) that yielded 828 bottles (50 cl).

With such a high ABV I’m thinking this whisky must have been casked at natural strength, and not the usual 63.5 %.

The Strathisla 2003 16 YO The Distillery Reserve Collection is still available to buy in the Chivas online store at GBP 90.

Nose: Tempered fruitiness, vanilla, red berries, and hints of green - cut grass and tomato plant. Mustard seeds. Softly acidic - citrus is various incarnations. With time icing sugar, more vanilla. Refined and delicate notes of orchard fruits.

Taste: Full bodied and big in character. Lots of fruitiness and sweetness. Aggressive citrus for a second, then it mellows out. Hints of cinnamon, ginger and oak.

Finish: Medium to long finish. More spicy now. Still some citrus. White pepper, cinnamon, oaky spices. ginger. Certainly holds your attention all the way.,

Comment: Big and bold attention grabber!

Score 88/100

Sláinte!
-Thomas