To clear up any confusion: this bottle is not legally considered a “20-Year-Old Scotch Whisky”. It does however contain premium aged spirit.
By Scotch whisky regulations, a bottle can only feature a prominent age statement (like “20 Years Old”) if every single drop of whisky inside has been aged for at least that long.
Because the bottle is a “No Age Statement” (NAS) blend on the main label, the core liquid is younger. However, Stewart & Son of Dundee attached that specific neck-tag / string hanger to boast about their blending method: they deliberately blended highly aged, premium 20-year-old single malts into the younger grain whisky base to “smooth out” the bite and give it a luxurious, mature flavour profile.
This specific presentation—a standard De Luxe main label paired with a neck hanger stating “Smoothed with whiskies 20 years old”—was predominantly created in the early 1970s for specific European export markets, most notably France.
Independent tasters who sample these specific neck-tag bottles today frequently note that they have a heavy, dark, and beautifully balanced sherry-cask profile. This confirms that Stewart & Son really did dump high-quality, very old single malts into these batches.
TASTING NOTES
With this bottle being blended and sealed over 50 years ago, it offers a dramatic departure from modern, mass-produced blended Scotch whiskies. Spirits from the 1970s heavily featured old-style sherry-cask maturations and a style of barley kilning that gives the whisky an intense, rich character.
Tasting notes from vintage whisky enthusiasts who have opened this exact “smoothed with 20-year-old whiskies” say:
The Nose
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- Old Oak & Leather: Initial notes of library books, polished antique wood, and soft leather.
- Rich Dried Fruit: Heavy aromas of dark raisins, stewed prunes, and orange marmalade.
- Subtle Smoke: A very faint, oily, camp-fire puff of smoke from old-school peat drying techniques.
The Palate
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- Waxy Texture: A thick, mouth-coating, and “chewy” texture that modern blends rarely have.
- Sherry Sweetness: Strong notes of dark brown sugar, molasses, and chocolate-covered cherries.
- Spice & Nuts: Toasted walnuts, dark clove, and Christmas cake spices.
The Finish
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- Warm and Long: A lingering dryness of oak tannins and warming ginger.
- The “Old Bottle Flavour” (OBF): A unique metallic or mineral note that develops naturally when high-quality spirits sit in glass bottles for half a century.
If you decide to open it, expect it to taste much “heavier” and darker than a modern blend.
ABV: 43%
SIZE: Not Stated
Please pay special attention to the photographs of label and fill level of bottle. Due to the various ages of bottles, corks and their seals, the condition of liquid is at the buyer’s discretion. We will not refund or offer exchanges for damaged corks.
A lot our our bottles are pre-owned, and as such they will have some kind of normal wear and tear. We take great care to provide clear photos of each lot. Please check these carefully before buying to ensure that you are satisfied with the condition.
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