North Star Whisky Sample 31 Year Old Sirius 2019 Release (30ml, 43.1%)

North Star Whisky Sample 31 Year Old Sirius 2019 Release (30ml, 43.1%)

The North Star "Sirius" 31 Year Old (2019 Release) is a standout from Iain Croucher’s acclaimed independent bottling house. Named after the brightest star in the sky, the Sirius series focuses on high-age-statement blended malts that offer incredible value compared to single malts of the same vintage.

This 1988 vintage is a "Teaspooned" Burnside, which is industry code for Balvenie with a tiny amount of Glenfiddich added. Because it cannot technically be called a single malt, it is bottled as a Blended Malt, but for the enthusiast, this is essentially a 31-year-old Balvenie at a fraction of the official bottling price.

Tasting Notes

Nose: An "old school" Speyside profile that feels incredibly gentle. It opens with beeswax, antique oak, and chamomile tea. This is followed by a beautiful, mature fruitiness: dried mango, tinned peaches, and orange marmalade. There is a soft, floral musk—reminiscent of dried rose petals and vanilla pods—that only emerges after 30+ years in wood.

Palate: The arrival is soft and elegant, but with a surprisingly "thick" texture. It leads with heather honey and silky vanilla cream, followed by a wave of spiced apple and cinnamon. Mid-palate, it reveals the wood's age with notes of polished mahogany, leather, and a touch of white pepper. There is zero "alcohol burn," just a steady glow of flavor.

Finish: Long, warming, and very refined. The sweetness of the honey fades into a dry, herbal finish of mint leaf, toasted walnuts, and a final, lingering hint of old parchment.

Why it's special

• The "Stealth" Balvenie: For fans of Balvenie’s honeyed, floral DNA, this is a "holy grail" bottle. At 31 years, it carries the same pedigree as the Balvenie Thirty, but with the raw, unfiltered honesty of an independent bottling.

• Exceptional Value: In the 2019 market, this was one of the most competitively priced 30+ year old whiskies available. For a collector, it represents a "smart" purchase—paying for the quality of the liquid rather than the marketing of a major brand name.