North Star 26 Years Old 1999

An impressively mature blended Scotch whisky from Glasgow-based independent bottler North Star Spirits, released as part of their Cask Series 026. The youngest whisky used in the blend was distilled in 1999, with the final composition aged for 26 years before bottling in 2025. North Star has not disclosed the individual distilleries or component whiskies used, leaving the precise make-up of this old blend something of a mystery. The whisky was given an extended marrying period in a single refill sherry butt, allowing the various malt and grain components to integrate while developing additional depth from the cask. It was bottled at a natural strength of 44.2% ABV, without chill filtration or added colouring. Only 254 bottles were produced. North Star’s official tasting notes highlight an old-fashioned, mature character, with aromas reminiscent of aged wood and traditional dunnage warehouses, followed by dark chocolate, nutmeg and chewy toffee on the palate. A particularly interesting example of well-aged blended Scotch, combining more than a quarter-century of maturation with the additional influence of a refill sherry butt.