Region: Speyside

Location: Keith, Banffshire

Status: Operational (owned by Diageo)

General whisky characteristics: Faint nose, stronger palate with fruity finish

More great distillery info here thanks to Malt Madness

Distillery photo by kind permission of Teun Van Wel

Strathmill, Flora & Fauna, 12y, 43% ABV

Typical cost of this bottle; €€€€€

Glass: Spiegelau

Colour: Light gold

Nose: Faint and slow to develop. When it does develop it's almost like a bowl of nuts in a light sea-breeze.

Palate: Interesting; liquorice and oak with hints of aniseed and ending with something fruity (raspberry?)

Finish: Medium, dry and fruity.

Overall Impression: The palate offers far more than the quite faint nose. I especially like the finish, albeit a little short.

Strathmill, Managers Choice, distilled 1996, 60.1% ABV

American Oak - New Wood, one of 300 bottles

Typical cost of this bottle; €€€€€

Glass: Classic Malt

Colour: Light yellow, pale gold

Nose: Fresh and not very penetrating with some oak, vanilla, even a hint of custard and almost a faint smokiness.

Palate: Smooth and rich, creamy fruit but it does need some water.

With 4 drops of water: Much spicier and lots more vanilla.

With a further 5 drops of water: A little more wood and less vanilla. Very spicy right on the front of the palate.

With 5 more drops of water: Tingling vanilla sauce on a fruit cocktail.

Finish: Very long and even longer with water. Also fruity and creamy.

Overall Impression: A very spicy dram getting more so with the water it really needs. Good, but not a favourite.