Strathisla 1989 bottled 1998 Single Speyside Malt Whisky Blackadder Limited Editions 43% vol. 700ml

Strathisla 1989 | Bottled 1998

Bottler: Blackadder International (Limited Editions)
Distillery: Strathisla, Speyside (oldest active distillery in Scotland, founded in 1786)
Age: 9 years (distilled 1989, bottled 1998)
Alcohol content: 43% vol.
Cask type: Ex-bourbon (presumably; typical for Blackadder of this era)
Bottling method: Raw cask (unfiltered, undiluted, with cask particles - Blackadder's trademark)
Limitation: Only a few casks (individual serial number per bottle)
Current market value: €350-€550 (rare, primarily at auction)

Historical context & special features

• Blackadder signature style: Minimalist finish ("whisky as if from a cask"), recognisable by the dark sediment ("cask dust") in the bottom of the bottle.

• Strathisla character: The distillery typically delivers creamy, fruity-grassy notes with a malty core - but intensified here by the "raw cask" bottling.

• Contemporary document: Bottlings from the 1990s from independent bottlers are now considered historical rarities, as many distilleries hardly released any single casks at the time.

Tasting notes (based on auction ratings & archive samples)

• Colour: Amber with golden reflections (natural colour, no E150).

• Nose: Ripe pineapple, overripe pear and honeydew melon, with vanillised oak, oat biscuits and delicate grassy notes. Light floral freshness (acacia) and a hint of beeswax.

• Palate: Creamy texture with a sweet attack: Caramilk, cooked apple and apricot jam. Develops into malty depth (barley bread), lemon zest and nutty nuances (hazelnut).

• Finish: Medium length, warm and balanced. Orange marmalade, liquorice and delicate oak spices (cinnamon) with a dry finish.

Rating (retrospective):

• WhiskyFun (Serge Valentin): 88/100 (*"A time traveller - shows Strathisla's unadulterated 80s elegance "*).

• Auction notes: Often described as "surprisingly complex for 9 years".

Maturity profile & drinking recommendation

• Maturity development: Despite "only" 9 years of barrel ageing, particularly concentrated due to minimal filtration.

• Optimal profile: Fully developed from 2020 (oxidation in an open bottle stabilises the aromas).

• Serving suggestion: Serve neat at 18-20°C; 1 teaspoon of still water emphasises the fruity notes.

• Suitable accompaniment: Dark chocolate (70%), smoked Gouda or walnut-raisin bread.

Limited Edition meaning

• Rarity: Blackadder bottlings from the 1990s are iconic - the company coined the "raw cask" trend at the time.

• Bottle design: Typical simple label with handwritten number

• Investment potential: Prices have risen by ≈80% since 2015 (source: WhiskyAuctioneer)

Market situation

• Availability: Extremely limited - appears sporadically at special auctions (##########_0__. WhiskyAuctioneer, Scotch Whisky Auctions).

Conclusion

The Strathisla 1989 from Blackadder is a typical Speyside jewel of its time:
✅ Presents the distillery's creamy, fruity DNA undisguised.
✅ Documents Blackadder's revolutionary "raw cask" approach of the 1990s.
✅ Combines accessibility (43%) with complex depth thanks to minimal intervention.

A piece of independent bottling history - not so much a powerhouse, but an elegantly balanced malt for purists.

Note: If there is sediment in the last sip, change the glass or decant carefully!