North Star Spirits is an independent bottler who started bottling whisky in 2016 but has already gained a great reputation, thanks to its series Vega and that I will introduce here with the second pretty baby, the Vega 40yo ( 43.1% – 2018). After a 23 years old blend (of excellent quality), whisky lovers were impatiently waiting for this 40 years old blend! Not only because they (and I) had some hope to taste a whisky of even higher quality but also because of the incredibly low prices asked for these bottles. And nobody was disappointed, regarding the price and the quality of this whisky. Here come the tasting notes 😀
Nose: A nose that could be described as classic for a good old sherry cask whisky. A perfect nose, or at least almost perfect if you’re pretty difficult. Just the right amount of sherry, tobacco, chocolate, grapes, old leather with a nice balance. The kind of whisky I could just sniff for hours. But I’ll drink it! Hoooo yeah.
Mouth: Hoooo yeah (bis repetita). I’ve known more powerful sherry attack but it’s still powerful. And the second thing to say is that the mouth is as nice as the nose in terms of wealth and balance. A nice mix of dried fruits (hazelnuts and dried apricots) with a hint of oranges, chocolate and coffee. Also a touch of spices with cinnamon.
Finale: Medium to long, on oranges and chocolate… I’ve always liked orangettes, don’t you? With just the right amount of tobacco for a nice ending.
Note: 91/100
What else to say about this Vega 40yo? Bravo! Again! I’ll buy 18 bottles! Sorry? Already sold out? Really? Dammit… With a price of 150€ for a bottle of 40 years old, of this quality, it was to be expected (sometimes, that’s the customers that are stealing the sellers). Well, you can still find this one on the secondary market but these bastards will not let them to you for less than 300€ (but I understand them, somewhere). Anyway, a 40yo of this level is rarely sold for less than 300€, so it’s as you wish :p
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