Now the circle is closed: our tour between several independent Littlemill started last week with an ex-sherry single cask selected and bottled by Silver Seal and it ends today with another single cask by Silver Seal, that spent 23 years in an ex-bourbon cask. The bottle is the latest in a series created by the Modenese brand that we’re going to explore soon; the labels are aestethically appealing, a variation on the theme of the conventional Sestante/Silver Seal graphics.
N: alcohol is not intrusive at all… Its outstanding feature is the incredible elegance: it deploys an astonishing range of intense aromas, but everything is perfectly polished and in its proper place. The malt is very elegant, between a croissant side and a more herbaceous one (fresh cut grass, indeed). This marvellous nose reminds us the Cadenhead’s Littlemill, that seems unbalanced and excessive in comparison. We find a majestic theory of fruit: fresh citrus fruit, prickly pear, pineapple, pear… Intense and delicate. Just a hint of vanilla, light almond notes. Cane sugar, maybe maple syrup? But only a hint of that…
P: a declaration of love to the Lowlands. It starts consistent with the nose, full and pervasive and in a perfect balance. You can vividly tast a super-clean herbaceous malt, followed by ripe yellow fruit notes (pear, orange and lemon, pineapple and coconut, too). Honeyed and syrupy (maple syrup and cane sugar, again), but it’s never creamy nor cloying. Actually, it manages to be surprisingly dry, exceptionally clean, in spite of a fruity richness. And the miracle happens: suddenly everything comes together, quitting with pleasant bitter notes of green malt.
F: coconut, dried fruit (probably almond), lemon pips and malta gain (wholegrain biscuits).
Quantity and quality, elegance and integrity: #awesomesauce. The farmy nature of Littlemill is absolutely honoured by the cask, that smooths any harshness giving moments of real pleasure. At the end of this “Littlemill Parade”, this bottle stays on the top step of the podium (always in our own questionable opinion): 92/100. Thanks to Betty and Max for the sample.
Recommended soundtrack: Al Green – How Can You Mend A Broken Heart
