North Star Vega 22 Year Old Cask Strength Blended Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

A lovely 'armchair' whisky - and relatively inexpensive given the age statement.

Tasting note: [20ml sample]. These Vega's are always value for money. The sixth edition was matured in both Spanish and American oak. A busy nose which needs time to settle. Gains definition with hints of raisin bread, prunes, Armagnac and sponge cake with a subtle piney-juniper freshness. Understated and easy drinking, it reminds you of a medium bodied, very old-fashioned sherried style. No bomb, rather light on its feet despite the age, then dry to finish, slightly nutty with suggestions of juicy dried fruits, rolling tobacco and powdery tannins. The aftertaste is elegant and medium long. 43.9% Alc./Vol. Non chill filtered. 1205 bottles.

Other reviews... Colour: deep gold. Nose: starts with brown toasts and some pretty earthy black tea, as well as some bitter chocolate and some kind of old mint cordial from and old bottle from an old European country. Mushrooms and autumn leaves tend to win it after a few minutes, while the whole would get even more mentholy. Sauna oils. Finnish malt? No, looks like this is rather Scottish… Mouth: very good! Many pine-y elements, needles, sap, some black raisins and some prunes, certainly some heavy pipe tobacco, marzipan-filled dates, chestnut honey, some thicker herbal liqueurs (ever tried Unicum?), all that with a solid body and a perfect, slightly oily mouth feel. Drops of caraway liqueur, perhaps. Try the Alsatians’! Finish: pretty long and balanced, not something that’s that common. Dried figs and a wee touch of curry in the aftertaste. Comments: I’ve heard they’ll have a bottle of this in the glove compartment of James Bond’s next Aston Martin. No, really. Anyway, whether this is a proper blend or a single malt in disguise (the industry is losing us these days, isn’t it?) this middle-aged Vega is very, very good.
88 points – Serge Valentin, whiskyfun.com