“Not the Ideal
Marriage”
Country: The Netherlands
Brand: Millstone French Oak
Type: Pot Still Malt Whisky
Age: 10 Years
ABV: 40 %
Colour: Dark Golden
Nose: Sweet with New Oak, Varnish, Butterscotch, Vanilla, Orange Marmalade, light Honey, Nut Shells, Dried Apricot, Pencil Shavings, Toffee, light Spices and light Floral tones. It's okay but not overly exciting.
Palate: Malt, Toffee, Brown Sugar, Vanilla, Oak, light Honey, light Menthol, Orange, light Varnish, Salted Butter, Nutmeg, Pepper and Cinnamon.
Finish: Middle-Long, Fruity, Spicy and Bitter-Sweet with Oak, Vanilla, Orange Peel, Buttered Toast, Nutmeg, Pepper, Cinnamon, Licorice, Menthol, Varnish and a little Salt.
I added a bit of Water and on the Nose you get more Vanilla and Floral Soapy tones. A little more Fruit in the Finish as well. You can experiment with a few drops at a time.
Rating: 82
Nose: 20.5 - Taste: 20.5 - Finish: 20.5 - Overall: 20.5
General Remarks: The Zuidam Distillery was founded in 1974 by Fred van Zuidam and his wife Helene and is currently run by their sons Patrick and Gilbert. It is located in Baarle-Nassau on the Dutch-Belgian border and is the only Distillery in The Netherlands that ferments, distills, ages and bottles at its own premises. Next to Malt Whiskies, Zuidam also produces Rye Whisky, Gin, Rum, Genever and Liqueurs. The name Millstone derives from the Windmills that are used by Zuidam to mill the Malted Barley. The Millstone 10 Years I'm tasting today was actually distilled on February 26, 1999, matured in French Oak Casks and was bottled on the 21st of August 2013. That's 14, 5 Years! The ABV of 40% is lower than the 43%, Zuidam is using today. My 200 ML bottle hails from Cask # 351. On average you will pay around 60 US Dollars for the 10 Year old Millstone French Oak, bottled at 43%.
Drinking Experience Neat: Good
Conclusion: Although there's nothing specifically wrong, the French Oak is not my favourite Millstone. It's not a subtle whisky and the Oak and Oak Spices are quite present. I prefer the 12 Year Sherry Cask anytime. The Sherry Cask is similar to Sherried Speyside Whisky while the French Oak has all the main characteristics of a European mainland Whisky with Oak, Vanilla and Spices as the main drivers. So while the French Oak is not a bad Single Malt, I don't find it sufficiently interesting to enjoy on a regular basis. Look forward to try the 1999 Special # 1 PX Cask who has just been nominated Best European Single Malt Whisky in the 13-20 Years category. Well done Millstone! It looks like Zuidam Spirit and Ex-Sherry Casks were made for each other. Cheers!
Jan van den Ende April 2, 2015
New Casks Arriving at Zuidam (Photo credit: Zuidam Distillery)
