The Whisky Agency 40 Years Old Speyside Region Good Vibes 1975 55% 1975

Professional reviews

Serge Valentin (93)

TWA and affiliated sub-bottlers often have great old undisclosed Speysiders, this should be no exception.

Colour: gold.

Nose: awesome. Mandarins and citrons at first, with a funny metallic side (tin box), then some fantastic notes of angelica and rhubarb, as well as very vivid whiffs of a great kirsch. Really very cherry and almond-like. And beyond that, some perfect notes of earthy tea, pu-erh style. An amazing nose, really. With water: extraordinarily mossy and ‘foresty’. Lime and moss, fern, mushrooms… And the subtlest pipe tobacco ever. Stunned.

Mouth (neat): malt whisky, seriously? This is some superb old Domfrontais calvados that’s been either mis-stenciled or mislabelled, I’m dead sure about that. Can we see the papers? Fabulous notes of apples and pears of the highest grades. With water: exactly, Domfrontais. Probably pre-war. Please call the anti-calvadosporn brigade!

Finish: as often with these old spirits, the finishes are a little less entrancing because the oak is finding its way. But still, it’s excellent, on… old apples!

Comments: I find this one totally exceptional. It’s also true that I love a good fino – and a great old calvados. Very well done, Whisky Agency!