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Scotch Drinkers Only – Strathmill 16 Year Old

Single Cask | First Fill Ex-Calvados Finish | Cask Strength

A beautifully mature single cask Strathmill selected and bottled exclusively for the Scotch Drinkers Only range. Matured for 16 years before a finishing period in a First Fill Ex-Calvados cask, this limited release was bottled at its natural cask strength of 58.0% ABV. The Calvados finish enhances Strathmill's naturally fruity Speyside spirit with layers of baked orchard fruit, honey, vanilla, gentle spice, and elegant apple notes.

Whisky Details

Distillery	Strathmill
Region	Speyside
Brand	Scotch Drinkers Only
Age	16 Years Old
Cask Type	First Fill Ex-Calvados Finish
Cask Number	#801381
ABV	58.0% (Cask Strength)
Bottle Size	700ml
Outturn	258 Bottles

Tasting Notes

Nose

Stewed apples, ripe pear, vanilla bean, blossom honey, cinnamon, and shortbread mingle with delicate floral notes and soft oak.

Palate

Rich and mouth-coating with flavors of baked apple tart, vanilla custard, caramelized pear, malted biscuits, toasted oak, and gentle baking spices. The Calvados finish brings a fresh orchard fruit character that integrates beautifully with the spirit.

Finish

Long, elegant, and warming with lingering apple skin, honey, vanilla cream, cinnamon, soft oak tannins, and sweet malt.

Additional Information

✓ Natural Color
✓ Non-Chill Filtered
✓ Single Cask Bottling
✓ Bottled at Natural Cask Strength

Why We Bottled It

Howard, founder of Scotch Drinkers Only, has long appreciated the great brandies of France. Whether enjoying a fine Cognac after dinner or indulging in a memorable Cognac soufflé at one of Midtown Manhattan's renowned French restaurants, he developed an appreciation for the richness, elegance, and fruit character that great French spirits can offer.

That appreciation sparked a simple question: Why don't we see more Scotch whisky finished in Calvados casks?

Exceptional Calvados-finished single malts remain surprisingly rare, especially in the U.S. We wanted to bottle something that whisky lovers wouldn't find on every shelf, something distinctive that showcased how thoughtful cask finishing can elevate, rather than overshadow, a great spirit.

After sourcing the perfect first fill Ex-Calvados cask, we sampled several whiskies in our portfolio before finding the ideal match. The moment we tasted the Strathmill, we knew we had it. Its elegant orchard fruit, honeyed malt, and silky texture provided the perfect canvas for the fresh apple notes and gentle spice of the Calvados cask.

The result is a whisky that feels both familiar and unexpected: a classic Speyside single malt with a subtle nod to the orchards of Normandy.

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About The Strathmill Distillery

Strathmill is located in the small Speyside village of Keith, with close proximity to the Isla River and its neighbors, the Strathisla and Glen Keith Distilleries. Home to a former mill, in 1892 it was converted into the Glenisla - Glenlivet Distillery, a much more lucrative business. Shortly thereafter in 1895, the distillery was sold to W&A Gilbey who changed the name to Strathmill and primarily used the spirit in its J&B blended whiskies.

One of the more unique facts about Strathmill is a purifier pipe that runs from the lyne arm into the body of the spirit still. This gives the spirit a slightly oily texture with fruity and grassy notes.                                                                                                                          

Today, Strathmill is a part of the Diageo portfolio and distillery release single malts are only found in the Flora and Fauna series and through special releases. The spirit continues to primarily be found in Diageo’s blends. Luckily, independent bottlers can get their hands on the Strathmill spirit and add their craft to it, delivering delicious single malts.