Halcyon Spirits Strathmill 28yo Cask #2053 (Release #6)

Halcyon Spirits Strathmill 28yo Cask #2053 (Release #6)

Region: Speyside

ABV: 55.3%

Price: £220.00

Distilled on 31 July 1996, this Strathmill spent twenty-five years in refill wood before a three-year stint in a fresh Oloroso-sherry hogshead. Bottled on 2 July 2025 for Halcyon’s sixth release, only 132 bottles made it out of the cask. Full disclosure, we were sent a sample of this but as always this will not influence our thoughts on the whisky.

Nose

The nose opens with light red cola and a flash of citrus, lemon and orange peel, then drifts into brown bread, gingerbread and strawberry fromage frais. Wood shavings hover in the background, with air we start to notice a hint of alcohol spice along with Terry’s Chocolate Orange and prunes. It smells like it’s got a bit of age on it, but the cask is definitely dominating the nose. Although we’re sure some will appreciate that.

Palate

The palate follows with lemon and lime juice, red cola, and prunes. On the mid palate there’s some Christmas cake, treacle and a gentle ginger spice . A touch of dark chocolate joins these other notes on the mid-length finish. The alcohol integration is spot on and the mouthfeel has enough weight to satisfy. Although again that sherry influence clearly dominates the nose masking the spirit.

Nose (with water)

With reduction more fudge, treacle, basil and chocolate join the pre dilution notes, but outwith that it’s mostly unchanged. The alcohol is still in balance, and again it smells like it’s got a bit of age on it. Saying that the cask is even more overpowering on the nose.

Palate (with water)

The reduced palate is fairly similar. It has a little more upfront spice, that’s now followed by a slightly bitter blood orange note. Post that most the pre dilution notes make an appearance. The mouthfeel is still good and the finish is still medium length with a good mix of sweetness and light spice lingering. 

Conclusion

A tasty dram, that’s unashamedly sherry forward and perhaps a touch simple for twenty-eight years, yet it remains quaffable to the last drop. Fans of Sherry will definitely enjoy. We’re a little more on the fence as we were hoping for a touch more distillery character. Saying that we wouldn’t say no to another dram.

Score: 7/10

Value

Not cheap, but still competitively priced in today’s market.

• 10 - Perfection. One in a million
• 9 - Outstanding. Exceptional whisky.
• 8 - Great. Would seek this out.
• 7 - Good. Quality whisky.
• 6 - Above average. Happy to have a dram.
• 5 - Average. Drinkable whisky.
• 4 - Below average. Passable.
• 3 - Flawed. Noticeable negatives.
• 2 - Defective. Significant faults.
• 1 - Offensive. Pour it out.

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