Speyside Region 44 Years Old Antique Lions of Spirits 51.6% 1973

Professional reviews

Serge Valentin (92)

Great series by great friends, but as always, we’ll remain impartial. If you’ve got the slightest doubt about that, you come tell me… Colour: gold. Nose: the finest custard mingled with all preserved fruits of the creation and with several kinds of honeys. I’m afraid there are too many to mention. Sublime nose again, with something Chinese. Very old Baiju? With water: dried figs! Big ones, small ones, medium ones… I just love figs. Mouth (neat): it’s the punch and the oomph, the character of it all, that are remarkable here. Not a retired old malt whisky at all, and I’ll add that I simply adore these honeys, resins, and dried fruits that keep assaulting your taste buds like Alexander the Great did with Saladin (the equally great). Quinces are particularly noticeable. With water: and figs again! Finish: rather long, perfect, full of figs, and honeys, and perhaps a little fudge. Fudge? Comments: admirable whisky, in French you would say it’s got skank, but I’m pretty sure that doesn’t work in pre-Brexit English.

Whisky Notes (93)

Nose: lusicous. On the warm side compared to similar bottlings. A little more guava and papaya. Some banana, almonds and beeswax. Hints of pollen and honey. Light touches of chamomile and fruit tea. Orange cubes. Whiffs of sandalwood and vanilla. Mouth: waxy textured, fairly sweet and perfectly fruity. Rather punchy as well, which apparently adds to the fruity richness. Apples and juicy pears, grapefruits, banana cake, guava… Great. A little herbal honey and spearmint. Cinnamon and aniseed. Finish: long, fruity, on oranges and passion fruits and just a hint of chocolate and spices.
These undisclosed 1973 Speysiders tend to be outstanding already, and this one is in the leading group. I told you, this is a cracking batch from ALOS.