St. Magdalene 1979, 19yoRare Malts Series
Lowland Single Malt Scotch
63.8% abv
£85*
This is a whisky praised by many, but never widely used when it was in production either as a single or for blending. St. Magdalene produced a double-distilled spirit, uncommmon for a lowlander, but standard in terms of most Scottish pot still whisky.
The site where this distillery was built accomodated a leper colony in the 12th century and later housed a covent, from which the name St. Magdalene's was borrowed. The distillery is also known as Linlithgow, and this whisky represents the last of the seven lost distilleries of the town of the same name. The buildings have been converted into flats and only the distinctive pagoda roof that remains offers a clue to future generations of the function the building once had. The distillery was closed in 1983.
*- hard-to-find bottling so the price given is based on an old list price. It would certainly fetch more today (£200ish)
TASTING NOTES:
Light, but full of aromas: sugar, newspaper, molasses, Supermalt, carob, pecans, ginger. Rooty and perfumy. Very appetising
Tight, but quite complex: Oats sweetened with dates and dried apricots, banana bread, tree sap, taste like the smell of lemon peels. Really holds together through the palate, not much development of flavour, maybe a whiff of smoke emerging? A real package from impact to finish.
SUMMARY:
Quite busy with flavours, but all wound up in a well-balanced ensemble that doesnt fuss about. Good, clean, well constructed whisky.
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