Ayrshire (Ladyburn) 1970-2000 GM Rare Old

In a way, it could be described as a typical Lowland Malt. Ayrshire (Ladyburn) AYRSHIRE(LADYBURN) 1970-2000 GM Rare Old 40% The aroma features old sherry, old plums and raisins, baked apple, strong black tea, faint cinnamon, and a pronounced grassy plantiness. On the palate, it has a smooth, light mouthfeel with raisin-like sweetness emerging from diluted grape juice. The flavor is flat and lacks expansion, finishing with a grassy bitterness in the latter half. This bottling of Ladyburn labeled as Ayrshire comes from a roughly 30-year maturation period between 1970 and 2000. Although only about 15 years have passed since bottling, it already exudes a strong old character. Is this due to its dilution and lack of body? The aroma is dominated by a mature sherry note, with strong impressions of fruity elements like raisins and plums, alongside a pronounced grassy plantiness. Upon tasting, it has an extremely light and smooth mouthfeel. Immediately upon contact, it feels like diluted grape juice. The flavor lacks extension and is flat, with a very light body. Similar to the aroma, the grassy notes are strong and accompanied by a bitter aftertaste. The finish is quite short. While the sherry character isn't bad, the overall flavor is flat and thin, with a barrel-aged quality. Indeed, for malt whisky, one tends to seek the body and expansive flavor profile that brandy or other spirits offer. The sherry character itself isn't bad, and it's not unpleasant. However, personally, I found this malt to be rather unenjoyable. You may know that Roland once had many distilleries, but most have since closed due to decline. However, the few remaining distilleries in Roland today do have their own unique personalities and produce many delicious whiskies. That said, I imagine that bottles like this one, from closed distilleries such as Ladyburn, were likely of this type. Roland Malt aimed for a light aroma to compete with the Highlands, shifting towards mechanization and mass production, ultimately leading to its decline. This bottle allows one to reflect on the aroma of the once-thriving Roland Malt. Although rarely disclosed, I've decided to feature this bottle here for its historical significance.