Thompson Brothers Whisky Sample Speyside 1989 31 Year Old 2021 Release (30ml, 51.3%)

Thompson Brothers Whisky Sample Speyside 1989 31 Year Old 2021 Release (30ml, 51.3%)

At 31 years of age, most whiskies have surrendered to the oak, but this 1989 Speyside single malt remains a vibrant, tropical powerhouse. Distilled in 1989 at an undisclosed Speyside distillery and bottled in 2021 by the Thompson Brothers, this release is famously adorned with a 'build-your-own distillery' kit illustration on the label. Bottled at a natural cask strength of 51.3% ABV, it represents a style of whisky-making that is increasingly hard to find: long fermentations and patient aging in refill wood, resulting in a dram that is creamy, waxy, and bursting with exotic fruits.

Tasting Notes

Nose: A staggering "fruit bowl" aroma. It opens with ripe mango, papaya, and tinned apricots. There is a distinct "beehive" layer—beeswax, golden syrup, and honeycomb—that speaks to its three decades of maturation. Beneath the fruit lies a delicate floral scent of honeysuckle and meadow flowers, with a tiny, sophisticated hint of almond paste and old canvas.

Palate: Thick, waxy, and remarkably drinkable. The arrival is a mix of sweet oranges, pink grapefruit, and yellow plums. Mid-palate, it becomes more "liqueur-like" and concentrated, showing notes of honey-glazed pears and vanilla biscuits. The age reveals itself through subtle, savory touches of tobacco leaf, green almonds, and a faint, resinous waxiness.

Finish: Long and creamy. The tropical fruits slowly fade into citrus honey and malted milk biscuits, leaving a final, refreshing tingle of lemon zest and a touch of drying oak.