Thompson Brothers Whisky Sample 32 Year Old 1989 Speyside Single Malt TWE 2022 Release (30ml, 51.4%)

Thompson Brothers Whisky Sample 32 Year Old 1989 Speyside Single Malt TWE 2022 Release (30ml, 51.4%)

The Thompson Brothers 32 Year Old 1989 Speyside Single Malt (bottled for The Whisky Exchange in 2022) is a "ghost" of a bottling. While the label simply says "Speyside Single Malt," the liquid is widely understood to be Macallan.

This is not the dark, "sherry-bomb" Macallan often seen in official releases; instead, it was matured in Refill Bourbon wood (specifically Hogshead #13) for over three decades. This allows the legendary oily, fruit-forward distillate of the 1980s to shine through with surgical precision.

Tasting Notes

Nose: A masterclass in "old school" Speyside. It opens with an incredibly refined waxiness—think of antique furniture polish and beeswax. Then comes a wave of tropical fruit: dried mango, papaya, and tinned peaches in syrup. There is a delicate floral layer of honeysuckle and a faint hint of peppermint and eucalyptus that keeps the nose fresh despite the age.

Palate: The mouthfeel is surprisingly viscous and oily. The entry is sweet and concentrated, featuring apricot jam, vanilla bean, and clover honey. Mid-palate, it becomes more complex with notes of candied ginger, white pepper, and a touch of herbal tea. The oak is perfectly integrated, providing a background of toasted almonds and sandalwood without ever becoming bitter.

Finish: Long, elegant, and "shimmering." It leaves a lingering sweetness of tropical fruit skins and beesy wax, ending with a sophisticated dry spice of cardamom and a final, clean mineral note.