Strathisla with a lot of make-up on!
Strathisla is not the name that comes to mind when you think about excitement in a glass. Yes, granted, the distillery is easily one of the prettiest in the whole of Scotland, but the whisky itself is rather mundane. An excellent basis for a blend, like the famous Chivas Regal. Even its owner Pernord Ricard seems to think that, as there is virtually no attention for a decent standard bottling of Strathisla.
We turn to the independents then! For today we lined up quite an unusual Strathisla, as this expression has received a finish in a HTMC-cask. We adored earlier encounters with this style. Now let us see how it works out for this classic Speyside distillery. In the meantime, enjoy some of my pictures I took during a brief drive by in June 2026.
Strathisla 12 years old, bottled at 57,3 % abv by SMWS
First things first: “Sweet treats after an autumn walk” is the title of bottle 58.85 done by the Scotch Malt Whisky Society. This Strathisla was distilled on 26 September 2011 and bottled on 15 April 2024. It received a finish in a first fill HTMC Hogshead and yielded 237 bottles.
Upon Sipping: Lovely fruits and spicy vanilla up front, but we are careful to stick the nose in too deep with this abv. It is clear that High Toast Medium Char treated casks bring out a certain kind of tropical fruit that we love very much! The arrival is very soft and sweet, before the abv starts biting. But indeed, in line with the HTMC Inchmoan we loved so much before, this whisky delivers in the same style. It is just that some alcohol hotness gets in the way. We add water and then we get this autumnal vibe on the nose, that is referenced in the name.The taste improves quite a bit, but not without getting a tad too bitter. But then the finish makes up for that with a load of mango, papaya and pitaya (dragon fruit).
Word to the Wise: Another excellent treatment of a spirit that can be very middle of the road normally, but is elevated by the HTMC cask. Lovely!
Score: 86 points.