Introduction
I picked up the Old Perth Solera out of curiosity more than anything. I’d tried a few of the earlier Old Perth releases and appreciated their bold, sherried character, so when I saw this version described as being matured in a solera system, I was intrigued. It’s a blended malt, entirely sherry-cask matured, and bottled at a generous ABV with no chill filtration or colouring. I didn’t have high expectations or any particular bias—just an open mind and a taste for rich whiskies.
Nose
On the nose, there's an immediate presence of dark dried fruits—sultanas and prunes—with a dusty cocoa note in the background. It's not overly sweet; rather, it has this earthy, slightly leathery undertone that stabilizes the sweetness. There's a slight sulphuric touch—faint struck match—though well integrated, and it fades with time in the glass. Hints of nutmeg and clove come through as it opens up, suggesting a reasonable degree of cask age even if it’s a non-age statement.
Palate
The palate delivers what the aroma promises: a heavy, sherry-driven profile with layers of stewed plums, bitter chocolate, and toasted nuts. There’s a muscular quality to it—bold and mouth-coating—with tannic grip and a drier development than expected. It doesn’t drift into syrupy territory. Mid-palate, there's a flash of spice: black pepper and cinnamon bark, with just enough heat from the alcohol to keep it lively without overwhelming the flavours. The structure is firm rather than silky, which suited the character here.
Finish
The finish is long and slightly drying with residual oak tannins, hints of espresso grounds, and a touch of gunpowder smoke. As the intensity fades, those dark fruits return, echoing softly in the background. It's not delicate, but it's steady and clean. The oak and spice hang around the longest, giving the whisky a pleasantly robust tail.
Price and Value
For what it offers—a richly sherried profile, decent complexity, and solid ABV—the Old Perth Solera comes in at a very fair price point. It sits in the same price bracket as many entry-level single malts but brings more character than many of them. If you’re into expressive, no-nonsense sherry cask whiskies, this offers respectable value.
Background
Old Perth is part of the Morrison Scotch Whisky portfolio, whose aim is to revive the blending heritage of the Perth area, once a hub for master blenders. The Solera edition is built entirely from sherry-cask matured malt whiskies sourced from various unnamed distilleries, brought together in a solera maturation system—an approach more commonly associated with sherry or rum. This technique ensures consistency while maintaining a complex flavour profile.
The whisky is bottled at 46% ABV, with no chill-filtration or added colour—a decision that appeals to traditionalists who prefer their whisky unaltered. For more on their offerings and approach, you can visit the Morrison Scotch Whisky Distillers website.
Final Notes
Would I buy this bottle again? Probably, yes—especially for those late evenings when I want something weighty and sherry-laced. I wouldn’t necessarily call it an everyday dram, but it earns its keep on the shelf. For newcomers, it might come across as a bit too dry and bold if they’re expecting sweetness, but anyone already leaning toward sherried malts will find a lot to appreciate here.
As for where it fits compared to others—it leans more toward the Glenfarclas or Tamdhu end of the sherried spectrum in terms of dryness and structure, rather than the sweeter edges of Glendronach. If you’re wondering when to enjoy it, I’d say it’s best suited to cooler evenings or post-dinner moments when your palate is ready for something dense.