Review by: The Muskox

The final dram I enjoyed with my man Quaker0ats… and the final Millburn left on the menu here for me to try. I promise, this really is the end of my recent run of ridiculous whiskies. If you can’t get enough of drooling over rare drams, I believe my friend The Whiskery Turnip has another 600 years worth of whisky to post from his recent Singapore trip, so just follow him.

---

Distillery: Millburn.

Bottler: Scott’s Selection.

Region: Highlands.

ABV: 58%.

Age: 19-20 years. Distilled in 1983. Bottled in 2003.

Cask type: “Oak cask”.

Price: N/A. $33 CAD for a pour at the bar.

Color: Dark gold. Natural Color. Non-chill-filtered.

---

Nose: Rather shy at first, though immediately salty and savoury. I immediately blurted out “French fries with ketchup!”. Mango salsa and sundried tomatoes in olive oil. Dusty old upholstery, grimy workshop, fish oil, All-Dressed potato chips, flamed cedar planks, and dead leaves. A little buttered popcorn.

With a little water added, there’s some farminess, powdered sugar, and chicken bouillon.

Palate: Medium-thick texture. Arrives sweeter and much fruitier than on the nose – mango, orange, pineapple, and pineless apple. Rich caramel and charred marshmallows too. Herbal notes of oregano and tarragon come in, then rich smoky flavours of smoked gouda and some lapsang souchong. Deeply earthy and savoury in the middle, with mossy oak, anchovies, and some paraffin.

Water sweetens things up further and makes the dram even richer. Orange oil and dried mushroom broth.

Finish: Medium. Orange and tomato. Cigar box, tomato, fish oil, and more mushroom broth. Chili-spiced chocolate. Instant ramen broth powder.

---

Possible SMWS bottling name: “Mysteries of the lost pantry”

Conclusion: Excellent stuff. The nose is fairly mild, but the palate and finish explode with huge flavours and incredible savouriness. Very typical Millburn flavours (I can say that with confidence now!), if you’re a fan of that profile. Quaker0ats couldn’t resist pouring the ’79 SV Millburn next to this one, which we both agreed was even better than this Scott’s.

Final Score: 88.

---

Scoring Legend:

• 95-100: As good as it gets. Jaw-dropping, eye-widening, unforgettable whisky.
• 90-94: Sublime, a personal favorite in its category.
• 85-89: Excellent, a standout dram.
• 80-84: Quite good. Quality stuff.
• 75-79: Decent whisky worth tasting.
• 70-74: Meh. It’s definitely drinkable, but it can do better.
• 60-69: Not so good. I might not turn down a glass if I needed a drink.
• 50-59: Save it for mixing.
• 0-49: Blech.