Sirius 31 year 1988 (North Star Spirits)

A dense, unified aroma of sherry and leather with a waxy, citrus zest note – orange, mandarin, and red grapefruit. It evokes old libraries and sports car interiors. Beeswax candles and a whisper of sandalwood shavings are also present, along with coconut oil, vanilla, and a hint of clove spice. It's monumental. The taste is a full marketplace of gentle baking spices steeped in sherry and citrus syrup. Dark fruits are present but not excessively sweet; the fruity notes are mellow and smooth. The texture is rich and creamy. An excellent palate. The finish is long, with lingering sherry, sweet malt, citrus, and leather flavors fading slowly. Sumptuous and magnificent, it possesses the integration only time can bring to whisky. The profile is initially an imposing barrier, demanding significant time before proper exploration. We sampled it after about 45 minutes into the evening, having let it rest for an hour, and it was still restrained. Towards the end of the event, after nearly two hours of being open, it had evolved astonishingly and was still opening. One could savor a dram of this all night. This producer has released several blended malts under the name "Vega," all from the Speyside region. This new "Sirius" line exclusively blends old highland whiskies. There was a general consensus at the tasting that Clynelish is almost certainly included, and in a significant amount. The event organizer suggested it might be a teaspooned Clynelish, but I'm uncertain. I suspect a proportion of something else is present, though I couldn't identify it. A truly excellent whisky, and if it is essentially a 31-year-old Clynelish exclusively matured in first-fill bourbon, then even at the price of AUS$250, it offers exceptional value. Highly recommended, if you can find it – 3,582 bottles worldwide. "Excellent": 88/100 (4.5 stars).