Speyside Region 43 Years Old Sansibar Chinese Theater Mask 52% 1973

Professional reviews

Whisky Notes (92)

Nose: this one shows a bit more peach aromas, papaya and more honey as well, and definitely a little more vanilla and hints of coconut marshmallow. It’s just a tad rounder and warmer, perhaps more balanced, though this also takes away part of the ‘wow’ effect. Mouth: still sweet and fruity (apricots, cassis), but also more spicy notes, perhaps because of the higher strength. More of an oaky feeling. Pepper, cinnamon, aniseed. Fruit tea. Floral notes. More towards toffee and liquorice in the end. Finish: long, on oaky spices like cinnamon and mint. Still some dried fruits.

This time the nose was rounder and the palate slightly more oak-driven. Superb whisky, no doubt, but in a direct comparison I prefer the perfect easy-going profile of the TWA bottling. That said, this comes highly recommended as well.