I didn't had the 1997 Spica, I heared from people that one was too grainy; well, the good news is this isn't! North Star nailed it again, this is a great whisky and I can't imagine this will be on the shelf for a long time. I know there are lots of self named experts avoiding blends as some kind of desease, for this one that is a mistake. I'm pretty sure this one will get even better when times goes by, but there is a big sherry cask influence on both nose and palate, but not overpowering. Fortunately it's age gives both nose and palate a somewhat old skool feeling, you can tell you're nipping a respectable aged whisky.
So, dark fruits, some raisins and vigs, blueberry pie and that hard to discribe old skool feeling on nose. Palate; lot's of the same with a nice peppery mouthfeel. Finish doesn't dissapoint either, long lasting, as one might expect from a 29 yo. North Star either made a choice to have the level of grain minimized, had a grain that was simply great, or a grain that is way older than 29 yo, or they used a grain that matured on ex sherry wood. Anyhow; great stuff!

[October, 2020] I had this dram during a local community tasting "blends only".

In my old rating system (ten scales that translate into WB points: 50 - 66 - 75 - 80 - 82,5 - 85 - 87,5 - 90 - 92,5 - 95) I scored it 82,5. My notes state a fruity profile with firm wooden notes and some sulphur on the palate which is bearable (at last), obviously some sherry casks of this batch were treated with sulphur candles. Without the sulphurous off-notes I would score it 87,5.

The bottle has been open for 3/4 weeks now - just a measure or two each weekend and taking my time - it’s starting to shine! In a line; to me this Spica is about grain whisky and wood, which is providing a perfect vehicle for the malts in the blend. On first opening, the grain whisky dominates the nose as does the oak. I get glue from the grain and damp wood/ bitters from the casks. Later on - the malts start to emerge - but the combination of the three elements ( Wood, grain and malt whiskies) is really where the 29yrs+ start to show off. This is playful dynamic whisky. It develops a ‘perfume’ - difficult to pin down: - polishes, waxes, linseed oil, old leather - all playing hide and seek with the bitter nip of wood, And further in sit sweeter things - vanilla, dark honey, more familiar sherry notes, some fruit ( orchard fruits; pear and peaches - more suggestive perhaps of some bourbon casks?) plus a twist of ephemeral peat smoke, which reminds me of Highland Park. The oak spices sit in bucket loads (like dill oil without the grassy notes or cedar wood pencils in a case) particularly in the arrival, which is sweet at first then becoming savoury, dry and bitter - some walnuts are thrown in for good measure right at the end.

Appearance: Medium to deep gold with some orange.

Nose: Oak. Vanilla, caramel. Grain spirits. Bit of campfire smoke. Cinnamon. Bit of pineapple. Vanilla. Citrus and stoen fruit.

Palate: Tannic wood, age. Candied pineapple. Vanilla. Nice dried fruits. Lightly tropical. Dried mango.

Finish: Slightly harsh grain spirits, pineapple, honey, wood.

With Water: Very nice. Brings down the spikes, brings out the deep, dried fruits. Barley sugar comes out more.

Overall: Great age showing. Rich and mellow, but definitely some harsh grain edges left. Lovely strange dried fruitiness is lovely.

Nice whisky but not my preferred style.