Millstone 5 year old Black Label review

Photo by Master of Malt

Millstone 5 year old Black Label single malt comes from the Dutch whisky pioneers, the Zuidam Distillers. This whisky from the Netherlands has been matured in Ex-Bourbon and Oloroso Sherry casks. It is lightly peated. My first ever Dutch whisky experience, so I was truly excited. And if there ever is the term “peated” involved, you’ve had my attention. The name Black Label also is promising – I usually like everything dark.

Millstone 5YO aka Black Label did start fairly enough. Its young age does not take over in the nose, but it starts to dominate in other parts too much. In a bad way. Fruity notes backfire in this young palate. They get too stingy.

Dutch INTERVIEW with the artisans

Interesting start, yet with collapsing continuation. Kinda like Interview, a movie by another Dutch artisan, the late Theo van Gogh. I really hope to get some more Millstone whiskies in the future, because this light peat version was just not ready yet. But there were glimpses of good notes.

Matured in:

Ex-Bourbon and Ex-Sherry Oloroso casks

Colour: Sunlight

Nose: Very wee smoke, which fades away immediately. Medicinal peat along with some over riped apples give an interesting combo, which is quite nice.

Taste: Starts with riped apples, but unfortunately they turn into very raw apples. Stingy and fruity palate with some peat trying to come forward, yet staying in the back. I think there’s hints of vanilla too.

Finish: Pointy citrus and peat with some dry oak as well. Addition of water makes some of the dryness go away just a little bit.

Balance: Decent start with some interesting mix of aromas. Unfortunately, Millstone 5YO shows its young age in a way too sharp way.