Time moves differently in the Highlands. This 2025 edition of our Sutherland Blended Malt was vatted in June 2025 with every intention of a prompt release. However, the year got away from us. Our lack of time management is your gain: this liquid has enjoyed an unintended, restorative 8-month rest since blending, allowing the components to marry into a singular, wax-forward expression.
Aged for a minimum of 6 years, this batch is a meticulous assembly of Sutherland’s finest: 73.72% Clynelish for that irreplaceable texture, 26.28% Dornoch Distillery spirit for Highland soul, and the obligatory “teaspoon” from the county’s other, legendary distillery.
Sutherland Blended Highland Malt Scotch Whisky
5 Years Old
914 bottles
48.5% ABV
Artwork by:Whisky Hobo
Nose: The nose is an evocative mix of farm-fresh fats and bright, concentrated fruit. It opens with ground almonds and a generous spread of salted (proper) butter, followed by the nostalgic sweetness of melon cordial and tinned pineapple cubes. There is a raw, cereal-driven core of dusty barley grist, accompanied by the artisanal funk of IPA and ale yeast. As it breathes and opens, it turns “green” and vibrant – think first-press olive oil, camphor, crisp green apple, and the resinous edge of mango skin.
Palate: Beautifully sweet and zesty with a remarkably cohesive mouthfeel. Initial notes of Robinson’s barley water and ripe Galia melon are brightened by a sharp, citrus-forward attack of pineapple juice, Amalfi lemon zest, and pithy grapefruit. A delicate sweetness of white grapes runs through the mid-palate, held together by that signature Sutherland weight.
Finish:Â Elegant and impressively long. The waxiness truly takes hold here, leaving a final impression of freshly baked sourdough drizzled with extra virgin olive oil and a final, lingering rasp of lemon zest.
Non-chill filtered and natural colour. This spirit may haze at low temperatures and under dilution.
