Blended Malt 1910-1920 (Berry Bros. & Rudd)

Bottled in the early 1900s by independent bottlers Berry Bros. & Rudd, this blended malt predates major global events. I discovered it at "The Abbey," a remarkable Edinburgh bar with an extensive rare whisky selection. This particular bottle, unlabeled and in a dark green vessel with a replaced cork, caught my eye. The bartender explained its dating was based on an early King George V seal, signifying his reign starting in 1910. Naturally, I seized the chance for a sample, which I enjoyed yesterday, May 20th, 2023, celebrating World Whisky Day. This spirit, distilled over a century ago, likely dates from the first decade of the 20th century. You can find "The Abbey" bar listed first on their whisky menu online. Fewer than seven drams remain in the bottle, which displays a pale golden hue. The nose was exceptional, presenting tangerine zest, hazelnut chocolate, sawdust, thick caramel, and white chocolate with almonds. A first taste offered a fleeting maraschino cherry syrup, evolving into coffee with milk, abundant sweet caramel, and acidic prunes. Truly impressive. The palate was less striking, reminiscent of whiskies from the 1950s and 60s, with sawdust, caramel, burnt grass, and hay. A second sip brought vanilla water and orange peel, conveying an aged character not of mustiness, but of past decades. The finish was a pleasant surprise; initially muted, it soon revealed paper, spices, and salt, developing into a long-lasting tobacco and cigar presence, giving it an overall cowboy feel. Tasting a whisky from the 1910s-1920s was an exhilarating, historic experience, a privilege I feel fortunate to have had. The whisky itself is good, with a nearly perfect nose and an above-average palate and finish, earning an 86/100 score. It's now slightly more scarce thanks to my tasting. Cheers!