Halloween is approaching, so to get into the mood it’s time for some more ghost distilleries. First, a curious sample of Rosebank, only 8yo and presumably bottled in the 1980s. Then it’s one I haven’t tried before, as far as I can recall — Pittyvaich. This distillery was only in operation 1974-1993 and then demolished in 2002. It was initially built to be blend filler, but from 1991 appears as a single malt in the Flora and Fauna range, which is what I have a sample of.
Rosebank💀 | 8yo (1980s) | 43% | The Distillers Agency
from a 2cl sample bottle
🗒️ Tasting notes
Nosing: Primarily floral, grassy, and citrussy (pink grapefruit, lemon cough drop) notes, and a light sweetness (soft meringue).
Sipping: medium-dry, light in texture, even flat. There’s little except light grassiness and bourbony oak on the palate at first, but then it springs alive in the development and finish with creamy, bready, toasty and oak-spicy qualities.
💭 Comments
A rare occasion where I find myself enjoying the finish more than either nose or taste. With the low ABV and ~40 years in the bottle, bot surprising it tastes a bit flat. Not off, but flat. Old bottle effect. Fun to try, but surely the fans of Rosebank cannot sustain their fandom based on such a bottling, and be willing to pay €500 to drink it?
Deliciousness
Fun factor
Value for money
In a nutshell
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Fine floral malt of yesteryear, but also tired from its long captivity
Pittyvaich 💀 | “Flora & Fauna” | 12yo | 43% | Official
from a 2cl sample bottle
🗒️ Tasting notes
Nosing: Intense raisins, PX, and brown sugar; along with woods and leather on a sour-mash backdrop. On the second nosing, I discover deep blackcurrant, liquorice, grilled pineapple, and metallic and medicinal notes. Very unusual, definitely interesting.
Sipping: Sweet, salty and oily. The strangeness continues on the palate: positively rubbery, loads of liquorice and raisins. There’s the impression of both a somewhat sulphury whisky to begin, and one where the mini-bottle effect is creeping in and amplifying the weirdness (yes, some cardboard).
💭 Comments
Very unusual, and interesting. Not necessarily that good, but I somehow feel it’s only partly the fault of the whisky itself. Either in storage of the bottle for ~20 years or in its much shorter life in a mini something went awry.
Deliciousness
Fun factor
Value for money
In a nutshell
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A bizarre beast that’s fun to try — and not even so expensive to buy for a closed distillery
DuckDrams 
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