Auchentoshan 1973, 29 Years Old
Single Malt - Scotland - 55.80% 8 The chestnut colour betrays the time this whisky has spent in oak. I have tasted much woodier whiskies - but not oakier Auchentoshans.

Berry's Own Selection Glencadam 1973
Single Malt - Scotland - 46.00% 7 A ripe dram which seems to have headed across to Kentucky. Big and lush.

Berry's Own Selection Teaninich 1973
Single Malt - Scotland - 43.00% 7 Not a heavyweight nor a sophisticated lad. But a perfect companion for a plate of smokies or a fruit salad.

Blackadder Longmorn 1973
Single Malt - Scotland - 56.90% 7 This mahogany dram looks like a winter warmer, and that is how I would use it.

Bruichladdich Vintage 1973
Single Malt - Scotland - 40.20% 8 The whisky for a Baltimore crab feast. Why not a Bruichladdich crab feast, come to that?

Glen Flagler 1973
Single Malt - Scotland - 46.00% 7 Better than it sounds. Rather odd, but I liked it. With cheese?

Glenfiddich 1973 Vintage
Single Malt - Scotland - 48.10% 8 Beautifully calm and seamless after the rugged attack of the Laphroaig.

Glenfiddich 1973 Vintage Reserve
Single Malt - Scotland - 49.50% 8 Luxurious and sweet, but background is gently dry. Deftly balanced and sophisticated, as ever.

Gordon & MacPhail 1973
Single Malt - Scotland - 40.00% 7 After a weekend walk in the country? Mid to late afternoon. Who needs tea? Just a slice of fruit pie and a generous dram of Benromach.

Gordon & MacPhail Glenlivet 1973
Single Malt - Scotland - 55.90% 7 A dash of water is perfect. Skip the pudding and enjoy your dram with a shortbread.

Gordon & MacPhail Glenlivet 1973 Cask Strength
Single Malt - Scotland - 55.90% 8 Some of the older Smith's Glenlivets are too woody for me, but this one is a delight.

Kingsbury Islay 1973, 27 Years Old
Single Malt - Scotland - 47.40% 8 Has this cask slept so long that it cannot completely wake up?

Ladyburn 1973, 27 Years Old
Single Malt - Scotland - 50.40% 6 I am pleased that this very rare malt has been made available. Ladyburn is a product about which I am frequently asked. Sad to say, its greatest appeal is as a collector's item.

Ledaig 1973 33 Years Old
Single Malt - Scotland - 48.00% 7 A marine dram but neither smokynor peaty. Just a briny profile. Another wake up dram but this time, bring the kippers!

Murray McDavid Mission II Linkwood 1973
Single Malt - Scotland - 46.00% 8 Very sophisticated bittersweet flavours. Adults only.

Port Dundas 34 Years Old
Single Grain - Scotland - 57.90% 8 Lush and sexy. A truly delicious hedonistic dram.

Private Collection Balblair 1973
Single Malt - Scotland - 45.00% 8 Elegant and uncomplicated. Refreshing and appetising. Hides its 50% ABV very well.

Rare Malts Cardhu 1973 27 Years Old
Single Malt - Scotland - 60.00% 7 They made bigger, peatier whiskies in those days.

Rare Malts Cardhu 1973, 25 Years Old
Single Malt - Scotland - 60.50% 7 For teatime – more fun than Darjeeling.

Rare Old Inchmurrin 1973
Single Malt - Scotland - 40.00% 7 Maturity improves it. Still needs rounding out, but less gauche than the distillery bottling.

Scotch Malt Whisky Society The Sting of a bee 42.5 1973 33 Years Old
Single Malt - Scotland - 48.50% 8 Very satisfying.A beautiful bourbon cask maturation. Superb to match with a cheesecake or lemon meringue pie. But the sting of the bee must be blunt,I did not feel it.

Signatory Blair Athol 1973
Single Malt - Scotland - 55.00% 8 Has matured superbly. I love the interplay of sweet and fruity, hot and dry. The orange colour distinguishes this from Signatory's earlier bottling.

Signatory Glenturret 1973
Single Malt - Scotland - 55.50% 8 Distillery bottlings of Glenturret from this era tend to be quite sherryish, but this Signatory edition is not. The absence of sherry reveals the use of a truly peaty malt in the 1970s.

Signatory Tullibardine 1973
Single Malt - Scotland - 49.60% 8 Rounder than a previous Signatory bottling at 1972.

Speyburn 1973
Single Malt - Scotland - 46.00% 7 Another light-tasting malt that blossoms with age. Its flavours belie the use of a malt that is scarcely peated.

The Dalmore 1973, Cabernet Sauvignon Finish
Single Malt - Scotland - 53.00% 7 A charming old lady with her pockets full of candies. Who can resist?

The Dalmore Cabernet Sauvignon 1973
- Scotland - 45.00% 8 All darkened nightclubs and secret assignations in Mulholland Drive.

The Dalmore Cabernet Sauvignon 1973
- Scotland - 45.00% 8 All darkened nightclubs and secret assignations in Mulholland Drive.