This was one of the pleasant surprises of WhiskyFest San Francisco. The specifics (not included below): 19 year old Dalmore, 21 year old Fettercairn, and 25 year old Ardbeg. I first wrote about it here back in April. The name was changed but it’s the same whisky.
Sheep Dip “Old Hebridean”, 1990 vintage, 40%, $70
A marriage of Dalmore, Fettercairn and Ardbeg, and their personalities certainly show. The whisky was blended and then aged for an additional 15 years—very atypical. The marriage of the three really works very well, combining a rich sweetness (honeyed malt, toffee), with spice (brine, vanilla, bitter chocolate), charcoal, espresso, tobacco, cigar ash, subtle marmalade, and firm—but not dominating—leafy peat smoke. Thick, nicely texture body too. Lingering brine and smoke on the finish. Delicious as it is, I can only imagine what it would be like bottled at 46% and not chill-filtered. (I probably would be bumping it up a few points.)
Advanced Malt Advocate magazine rating: 92
Looks very cool. I’m a big fan of distilleries (or in this case blenders) trying new things such as aging after blending. And for 15 years…wow!
Thanks John, this sounds interesting – and not ruined by the Fettercairn content from the sounds of your review.
I have not seen it. Where is it retailed?
Todd: Alex Nicol, the brand owner, tells me it will be out in November. I’m posting up an early review. (Maybe the first one.)
Considering that this is a mainstream brand and considering the age and pedigree of the contents, that’s a very fair price.
Great! I wonder what it would take for the Dippers to put out one that wasn’t chill filtered at cask strength?
I find it ironic that a day after talking about mixing whiskies, this is the whisky you review. Mixing 25yo Ardbeg. Be still my heart. Still I do want totry this but wish it was at 46%.
Red,yes this is a VERY fair price.
Sean, Chap: I think he might be sending me a sample at higher strength. If he does, I’ll pass on my thoughts.
[...] Hansell reviews Sheep Dip “Old Hebridean,” a marriage of Dalmore, Fettercairn and [...]
Now THAT sounds really nice and trully fairly priced.
Maltakias, I agree 100%. A great value!
With malts all the rage, I’m ready for good blends to step it up in a large way, even if at a paltry 40% like the Dewars 18 I recently purchased. The Dewars 18 is smooth and buttery. A great blend.
I will seek out this Sheep Dip 1990 Vintage, even if it turns into more of a quest.
Although the first scotch whiskies I tasted were blends many years ago, it took me some time to return to them after I took to single malts. And with encouragement from reading John Hansell’s and Jim Murray’s laudatory reviews on certain blends, I gave blends a second try – and I am delighted with many of them. Thanks John and Jim!
We just got this in and I can’t wait to try it. Priced at 69.99 (US)!! Great deal and sounds like a great scotch!
Scott, that’s excellent!
John – quick question. So when this was blended in 1990, the Dalmore had previously been aged for 19 years, the Ardbeg for 25, etc.? If that is the case, then after 15 more years of maturation, the Dalmore has been aging in wood cask (albeit a different casks and together with the Fettercairn and the Ardbeg) for 34 years, the Ardbeg for 40 years, etc.? Am I getting this right, or, in 1990, was the Dalmore only 4 years old, the Ardbeg 10, etc.? Thanks.
… after further ageing in my closet for 16 months, I just took my first sip. I like it. Very malty. NIce smoke.
Love the dark color.
As John suggests, bottling at 46% would have been the better move. More higher-end blends, please.