Millburn 1966 v Glenugie 1967 v Glendronach 1968 40-43% H2H

[lincoln imp]

Tasted in this order

Milburn 1966 20 year sherry wood Sestante 40%
Glenigie 1967 22 year sherry wood Sestante 43%
Glendronach 1968 25 year sherry casks OB 43%

I have been drinking very little whisky of late, I had just gone off it a little but this H2H has rekindled my interest a trio of superb whiskies, all averaging 93 points so a dead heat.
All were excellent, one of the best H2H I have had for a long time
If I am honest I think I preferred the Millburn & Glenugie over the Glendronach and almost scored the Dronach one point lower but I felt that was a little unfair.
Its a dead heat 3 great whiskies, I am very happy
Who needs cask strength whisky when there is lower abv quality around like these?

Tasting notes here

1 - Millburn 66

Nose
93
Slightly distant but its nice for sure and the first think I detect is blueberry which if I find in sherried whisky is always a good sign for me. Lots of dried fruits in the mix, and fruit cake, juicy currants and raisins, a very faint glue note but thankfully I do not think it detracts and then another wave of fruits, dark fruit gums basically, very nice.

Taste
94
Oh yes, this is good, there is a nice dose of spice, I also detect some peat, the dark fruit gum taste is definitely here and yes blueberry and bilberry, great stuff.
The spice note seems to grow , as does the peat but the fruit is between them adding great balance.
Some cake mix enters the fray, burnt orange and just a hint of wood.
Excellent, I think I am love again, this has given me my whisky mojo back.

Finish
92
Good medium length, remaining spicy, slightly peaty and very fruity ( dark fruits)

A whisky like this from a glorious old distillery really does blow out the water the argument that cask strength is better, although I would love to taste this at 50-55%.
The balance is perfect, there is nothing out of place, an example of perfection from the best of the 3 closed Inverness distilleries.
If you see a bottle of this my advice is buy it , even if you have to go into debt and starve for it.
Awesome and beautiful and the 40% strength really underlines the fact that a perfect cask is good at any strength

2 - Glenugie 1967

Nose
91
The first thing you get is spicy white fruits and a little, a good start.
Apricots (very nice), sponge cake, mango, stewed apple, apple sponge, yes this is good stuff.

Taste
95
This is a fizzy one, plenty of spice including a touch of white pepper, but is distant, a touch of grapefruit, bags of yellow & white fruit gums and then another wave of spice.
This is the sort of profile I really love and why I am big fan of this lost wonder of a distillery.
The fruit just keeps coming, apple, touch of peat, grapefruit, lemon, melon, awesome

Finish
93
Good length, remaining spicy to the end and then fruit keeps coming
A superb whisky, need to try the 67 & 68 Bird label sestante cask strengths again after this wonder but for only 43% this is excellent, great balance on show, hard to fault
A match for the best Springbanks in my view, high praise indeed but I love Glenugie end of.

3 - Glendronach 1968

Nose
92
This is quite rich, dried figs, dates, burnt twigs (in a good way), blackcurrant, blackberry, caramel cake, profiteroles, and then a bag of currants.

Taste
93
yeah, typical Glendronach, very rich, spicy, a basket of dark fruit, a little syrupy what else is there to say.
The fruit really comes through if you hold it in your mouth, lovely, and then a blast of spices mixed with peat so this really has got everything.
Lip smacking, very moreish, leaves you wanting more

Finish
93
The finish is top notch, seems to get sweeter , staying composed

There is no denying the quality on this one, I have always said that Glendronach at 18 -22 year has a sweet spot but this at 25 years is in the same bracket and this is much better than those old 38 -42 year OB by quite a distance.
Everything in harmony here.
_________________
Pour me a glass please.