Spirit Type: Blended Whisky

Country: Scotland

ABV: 40%

Bottle size: 1L

Description:

Made by Tomatin, Antiquary is "the rare old blend," an assortment of whiskies from all over Scotland (including a touch of Islay in it) that seems to want to out-walk Johnnie Walker.

The 21-year-old expression (gold label bottling; there are others) is a malty whisky that's mellow with notes of fresh barley and thick oatmeal, a touch of cinnamon, a bit of apple fruit, and a solid vanilla caramel character. A very slight hint of peat smoke is evident, more on the palate than the nose. Nothing shocking here; if you're at all familiar with blended scotch, you'll find The Antiquary a fine example of the style, taking minimal chances while providing an easy-drinking, well-rounded whisky with just the slightest amount of edge on it – a real tour of the region.

Colour: Light Golden (Artificially Coloured)

Nose: There is a nice balance between the Bourbon - and Sherry casks, but the Grain Alcohol is still quite noticeable. It's relatively Light and Clean for a 21-Year-old Blend. Sweet, Medium-Dry, and Malty with very distant hints of Grassy Peat and light Smoke. Sweet Cereals, Buttered Toast, Vanilla, Caramel, Toffee, Heather-Honey, Straw, Dried Herbs, Dusty Road, Banana Flavoured Candy, Citrus, Black Currant Jam, Cooked Apples, Cinnamon, light Menthol, Aniseed, Refill Oak casks and traces of Pepper and Nuts. Most Aromas are merely impressions, and it takes quite some time to identify them.

Palate: Slightly Bland and Thin Delivery. An ABV of 46% would have been more adequate. The Antiquary is mainly Sweet on the palate, with clear notes of Malt, Cereals, Fruit, and Spices. The Impressions of Flavours include Sweet Cereals, Buttered Toast, Toffee, Caramel, Straw, Heather-Honey, Cooked Apples, Citrus, Dried Figs, Melon, Cinnamon, Pepper, Nutmeg, Aniseed and a mere hint of Peat.

Finish: Long, Fruity, and Pleasantly Sweet. Quite Mineral towards the end. Red Apples, Banana, Melon, Pear, Heather-Honey, Vanilla, Fudge, Cinnamon, Pepper, Nutmeg, Oak, Walnuts, Grain Alcohol, Aniseed, Menthol and a very faint hint of Peat.