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!