As I mark a small milestone with my 500th whisky review on More Drams, I wanted to celebrate with some special drams. Having never tried Littlemill until two weeks ago (thanks, Xavier!), I thought this would be the perfect occasion. Let’s enjoy a Littlemill NAS and two 1990 Cadenhead – My 500th whisky review!
500 Whisky Reviews
As you may have noticed over the years, or since this blog’s inception in 2019, the frequency of my posts has been quite inconsistent. There have been periods of inactivity due to laziness, illness, or simply not feeling inspired to write. However, after updating my internal records and realising I was approaching my own 500th whisky review (with some other reviews from or with Ainulindale), it feels surreal. I never imagined I would review so many whiskies – about 20% of the nearly 2,500 different whiskies I’ve tried and tracked.
This year, I’ve made an effort to write more consistently, and more recently started publishing reviews every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday morning at 7 AM CET. I’ve managed to maintain this schedule for several weeks, and with some planning, I hope to continue this pace while still having some free time.
Even a review of just three drams requires several hours of ‘work’. This includes tasting and taking notes (usually 15 minutes to an hour per dram), writing and refining the article, creating the featured image, and preparing social media posts. While I’m not as prolific as some whisky bloggers who publish daily, I enjoy the process and find it a rewarding challenge to share interesting and informative content (I hope it is!) on a regular schedule.
I hope you’ve enjoyed my reviews and longer features, such as the one about the Angel’s Share or about Cognac, and that you’ll continue to follow this blog that I pour my heart into. I also want to acknowledge a few individuals who have inspired me: Matt, Ruben, Serge, Thijs, Alan and Daniel, the Two Whisky Bros, Brian, the writers of Dramface, and of course, Julien.
Now, let’s dive into Littlemill and review my 498th, 499th, and 500th whiskies on More Drams Less Drama!
Littlemill Distillery
Littlemill Distillery holds a special place in the annals of Scotch whisky history. Nestled in the picturesque landscape of Bowling, near Glasgow, Scotland, Littlemill was once renowned as one of the oldest and most storied distilleries in the country. Its origins can be traced back to the 18th century, with official records indicating that whisky production began as early as 1772.
Littlemill was celebrated not only for its longevity but also for its innovative spirit. It was one of the first distilleries to experiment with triple distillation (until 1930), a process more commonly associated with Irish whiskey, which contributed to the unique character of its whiskies. The distillery’s location, near the banks of the River Clyde, provided it with access to pure water sources and fertile lands for growing barley, essential ingredients that shaped the distinctive flavour profile of Littlemill whiskies.
Unfortunately, despite its rich heritage and pioneering techniques, Littlemill Distillery ceased operations in 1994, and its buildings were subsequently destroyed by fire in 2004. Today, the legacy of Littlemill lives on through its remaining bottlings, with Loch Lomond group, the brand’s owners, releasing a new bottling from time to time.
Littlemill Single Lowland Malt NAS Miniature (±1990s) Review
This first Littlemill is a miniature without an age statement, and it’s unclear if it was ever released in full-size bottles. It was likely released in the early 1990s, as Littlemill ceased operations in 1994. However, similar miniatures on Whiskybase have bottle codes indicating they were bottled in 1995. Unfortunately, there is no information available about its maturation process, except that it was bottled at 40% ABV. I purchased this miniature at an auction a few years ago for less than £10.
Colour:
Deep gold (but probably coloured)
Nose:
Neat: Immediately intense upon pouring, with aromas of lukewarm stewed apples, oranges, malt, agave, and subtle hints of coriander and dry grass.
Palate:
Neat: Initially subdued, but gradually builds in flavour. The texture is light and slightly thin, yet remains pleasant. Notes of malt, cardboard, and a hint of old book scent mingle with copper coins (Old Bottle Effect probably), pepper, and oak spices. There’s a faint soapy undertone, possibly accentuated by the OBE, but it remains quite drinkable.
Finish:
Warm and surprisingly long, with flavours of petit beurre biscuits and spices, primarily pepper and allspice
Comments:
This whisky presents a bit of a challenge to rate. While it’s not particularly complex and has minor flaws, it possesses a certain charm and offers more flavour than some recent 12-year-old single malts from major distilleries. It’s not average, but it’s not exceptional either. I’d give it a six, though this score could be lower if you’re particularly sensitive to the subtle soapy and cardboard-like notes on the palate.
Rating: 6/10
Littlemill 1990 24-year-old Cadenhead (2015) Review
The first Littlemill 1990 Cadenhead in our glass today is a 24-year-old small batch whisky matured in bourbon hogsheads. Distilled in 1990 and bottled in 2015, this release produced 582 bottles at 53.7% ABV, without any added colouring or chill filtration. You can now find it only on the secondary market or in select shops, often at a significant premium, with prices starting at around €450 per bottle.
Colour:
Old gold.
Nose:
Neat: The nose begins with floral aromas, accompanied by orchard fruits like green apples and creamy apricots, along with hints of tropical fruits such as bananas and mangoes. Reminiscent of Sauvignon Blanc wine, with a touch of leafy austerity and lemon pips.
With water: Reduction adds a note of apple juice, with a slight sharpness and a hint of solvent.
Palate:
Neat: The palate is initially sweet and fruity, quickly transitioning to caramel and spices. Offers a beautiful creamy mouthfeel. Underripe tropical fruits are laced with grassy and leafy flavours, complemented by thick liquid chocolate and cocoa powder. Spices return with waves of pepper and chili, while mint leaves linger in the background.
With water: Icing sugar and more fruit notes, including unripe passion fruit, lemons, grapefruit, and Sauvignon Blanc wine.
Finish:
Slightly drying, with notes of mint and bay tree leaves, dark chocolate, hints of banana peel, and a warm pepperiness. Most flavours linger for a medium length, but the pepperiness persists much longer.
Comments:
This superb and fruity Littlemill offers a slightly austere profile with a spiciness that ebbs and flows. It’s a dram that could captivate you for hours as you explore how its flavours evolve over time and with each sip.
Rating: 8/10
Littlemill 1990 28-year-old Cadenhead (2019) Review
For the third Littlemill of the day, and my 500th whisky review on More Drams, I’m trying a Littlemill 1990 28-year-old single cask from Cadenhead, bottled in 2019. Distilled in 1990, this whisky matured for 28 years in a bourbon hogshead, yielding 282 bottles at 50.7% ABV, without chill filtration or added colouring. While a few shops list it, they do so at a significant premium, with prices starting at around €750. Your best option might be whisky auctions.
Colour:
Deep gold.
Nose:
Neat: Green apple, mango, pear, vanilla, and lime zest, complemented by floral aromas, wet grass, a hint of petrichor, and sliced almonds. The nose is somewhat shy.
With water: Reduction brings out more citrus notes, along with apple and grape juices, and the wood becomes more noticeable.
Palate:
Neat: The palate starts with peppery unripe mangoes, green apples, almonds, and unripe melon, with a hint of wood. The mouthfeel is creamy. Over time, lime juice, mint leaves, pineapple, and grapefruit emerge, adding a tropical twist with a nice tartness.
With water: After reduction, the palate becomes sweeter initially, followed by an array of fruits including pomegranate and guava. Herbaceous notes and caper berries also make an appearance.
Finish:
Citrus flavours linger, accompanied by hints of wood bitterness and peppermint.
Comments:
This Littlemill 1990 from Cadenhead’s is both more austere and quite fruity, making it equally delicious. I’m finding it hard to choose a favourite between the two. Let’s give it the same rating as the younger one!
Rating: 8/10
Let’s Go for 500 More Whisky Reviews!
Well, I don’t plan to stop writing, so we’ll see how long it takes for me to write 500 more whisky reviews (not counting the malternatives!) There may be a hiatus or two later this year (holidays, and I hope to move once I’ve managed to sell my house so that may keep me busy for a moment), but as I reflect on these last almost six years, there’s a ton of good memories and whiskies and lovely feedback from some of you dear readers, so I really hope you’ll stay on board with me as I try to write 500 more reviews.
Thanks Benjamin!