20/10/2019 One blind dram at home

Nose: estery from the off, it smells of pear drops and pineapple cubes, candied kiwi and crystallised tangerines. A soft, herbaceous touch emerges, a minute in: vine leaves and mandarin foliage, soon joined by baked butternut squash -- or is that dinner? In the distance, cereal struggles to make itself heard: bran, draff, cooked swede and faint iron tonic. Mouth: fresh and rather sharp, the palate showcases jasmine tea, manuka, but also oregano and a tiny pinch of chilli powder. The second sip brings fortified wine, which I find it to be closer to Port than Sherry or Madeira. A little astringent, it challenges the taste buds with its mild acidity that never becomes unpleasant. Finish: not at all in line with the nose and mouth, the finish delivers lovely chocolate pralines, perhaps with a cherry-liqueur filling, Brazil-nut butter, a lick of water-based paint, chewy marshmallow, discreet lime zest, poached figs and Bourbon-infused marmalade. Very nice and works a treat as an apéritif. Actually, it is something to drink all night. :-) Bladnoch 1990/2018 Exotic Fruit Sorbet (46%, Wemyss Malts, Hogshead, 186b) 7/10 (Thanks for the sample, Gaija)

I am told we have time for one more.

Speyside-Glenlivet 27yo 1991/2018 (48.8%, Cadenhead Authentic Collection, Bourbon Hogshead, 318b, 18/418): I liked this, last time I had it. Nose: delicately woody, the nose has Scottish tablet, toffee and dark chocolate chips, cocoa beans, even, though it never announces bitterness. Resin and cigar boxes are there too, barely concealing chestnut and berry purée. Yes! Squashed chestnut, crushed strawberry, pressed gooseberry, apricot skins, baked-apple skins and a whiff of dry earth. Mouth: here, it is fruit galore, with the squashed strawberries from the nose, overly-baked apples, slices of juicy Chinese gooseberry, rhubarb jam and peach pulp. The texture is velvety and quite coating, and there is a whisper of sweet cereals in the back, via retro-nasal olfaction. Finish: lemonade, peach slices, a pinch of sawdust, a drop of ink (oh! it is not 1965 Ardbeg, mind) and crushed berries -- raspberry and blackberry, this time. The second sip brings slightly-burnt-cake crust, pink-grapefruit zest, dates and blackcurrant liqueur. An lovely drop. Ignore it at your own peril. 8/10 (Thanks for the sample, SW)