Loch Lomond 33yo 1984/2017 (47.9%, Edition Spirits The First Editions selected for Belgium, Refill Hogshead, C#HL 13287, 120b): an Inchmurrin in disguise, allegedly. Nose: fresh, citrus-y and creamy, it has soft butter, lemongrass, citronella, even, acidic lime peels, Chinese gooseberry, dried pineapple cubes. There is a gentle grassiness to it (laurel leaves, hay and green tomatoes), touches of porridge too, yet the creamy, citric note is loudest. Mouth: much grassier. The yoghurt-like creaminess makes room for sage, verbena, oregano and thyme, as well as lime juice. It remains pleasant, but very different from the nose. The second sip is creamier, for a moment, then the lime soon comes back with a vengeance. Finish: the cream comes back, to soon give way to an onslaught of lime juice, sprinkled with herbs -- oregano leading the pack. It evolves quite a bit in the finish, oscillating between lime juice, crushed, dried verbena, almost metallic, lemongrass sticks, oregano and lavender stems. Good, this. 8/10 (Thanks for the sample, Bishlouk)
Imperial 20yo 1995/2016 Art of Congratulations (50%, Signatory Vintage The Un-Chillfiltered Collection selected by Maxi Vins N°1, Hogshead, C#50192, 270b): bottled for Savoureur's fiftieth birthday. Nose: rancio and musty warehouses, tanned leather, pine essence, cellophane. Fruits soon appear, and they are red! Redcurrant, elderberry, blackberry, raspberry jam. And then, banane flambée, a hint of faint smoke and notes of fortified wine -- Port or Madeira. It is unclear whether this is a sherry hogshead, which means it probably is not, oddly enough. It certainly tastes like one. Much later on, the cellophane warms up and gets close to bubble gum. Mouth: bold, wine-y, syrupy, it has notes of liqueur and fortified wine. Fairly soon, nuts show up (Brazil, macadamia) with dried fruits (prunes, figs and raisins) soaked in booze. Liqueur pralines (Mon Chéri) and boiling honey. The alcohol is easily felt, as this is much more assertive than the previous dram, without being bombastic. Finish: similar notes of liqueur, chocolate-infused sherry, soaked prunes, soaked raisins, stout and a bit of wood -- probably teak, mahogany, or freshly-sawn ebony. Teak oil, wooden garden furniture under the sun, after it has been given a fresh lick of oil. Punch and solvents round off the finish. Nice! 7/10 (Thanks for the sample, Savoureur)
Bladnoch 23yo 1977/2001 (53.6%, OB Rare Malts Selection, 6000b, b#0565): I promised recently that I would review this properly one last time. Let us try and do it justice. Nose: hazelwood furniture, orange peels, perhaps some sawdust? No, it is ground, dried orange peels. Next to that, apple-tree logs, burning in a stove, drying satsumas, lemon marmalade, apricot compote, then mashed potatoes and boiled sweets. Is this stunning, or what!? Lime peels invite unripe tangerines to a dance. This nose is warm and welcoming, comforting, even. Bung cloth appears, timidly, alongside a fair share of wood (cask staves, soaked cork). Finally, distant rubber peaks its head -- an inflatable beach balloon. Mouth: initially pretty neutral, it quickly develops a solvent-like mouthfeel, warming and drying at the same time. Hot, fruity compote settles in, dried pineapple cubes, wood, hot milk chocolate with a spoonful of honey, walnut oil. It is a hot mouth, with a hint of metal. Compote, bubbling in a cast-iron cauldron. Finish: mellow, round and very fruity, not unlike fruit cubes, blended with custard. Pineapple again, satsuma, kumquat and pomelo are here too. All the alcohol heat has dissipated to only leave a soothing, calming warmth. Chocolate, bitter orange marmalade, traces of hazelnuts, peach skins and furniture polish. To this day, this remains my favourite Bladnoch. Excellent, excellent dram. I will miss this bottle. 9/10 |
| Duel of the Fates |
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