1994 North Star Springbank 25 Year Old Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

North Star's latest outturn includes some stunners from Springbank. Once again, Serge Valentin at whiskyfun.com ranked this as one of the better examples he's tasted to date (full review below). Matured in a single refill hogshead yielding 270 bottles, the bottlers describe it as "massaging your tastebuds with mangoes and marmite, before finishing salty, savoury and sweet." 48.5% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered. Extremely limited allocation.

Other reviews... Colour: straw. Nose: exquisite! An ode to coastal and waxy aromas in whisky. Crushed chalk, brittle seashells, lemon-scented bath salts, freshly starched linens, subtle hints of petrol underneath, pithy lemon peels, light sooty touches and, with a little breathing time, the most fragrant curls of soft, quilt-like peat smoke. Even hints of earl grey tea and seawater. Just beautiful, a nose to die for. Mouth: superb arrival. A little lighter, subtler and gentler than the nose suggest. But still many stunning flavours gently piling up. Sandalwood, lemon rind, white pepper, waxes, a light touch of peat, vapour rubs, cough medicines, herbal teas, gentle sooty qualities. Pristine distillate at a perfect age. This sense of coastal freshness, chalkiness and these petrol and mineral aspects just build and build. Finish: medium and on bitter herbs, green tea with lemon, green olive, brine with lemon rind, smoked olive oil and camphor. More medicines and peppery waxes in the aftertaste. Comments: The nose is 94 point material, the palate perhaps lacks a little oomph to keep up but is still stunning. Evocative malt whisky that exudes a clear and powerful sense of place and style. Decadent pleasure, utter class and a testament to distillate, gentle wood and time. 92 points - Serge Valentin, whiskyfun.com