22/06/2019 Drams in Switzerland (Part 2)

Dinner has calmed me down a bit. pat gva points out that we still have a lot of work to do. He is right.

Inchgower 19yo 1959/1978 (80° Proof, Cadenhead) (selected by me): again, the dates are not on the miniature. Nose: old, greasy, metallic tools, a faint hint of apple and acetone. Mouth: crisp, it has apple and stripping acetone again, a whisper of metal, but it is not greasy, this time. Finish: apple-forward custard and horsepower. This tastes a little spirit-y, with alcohol at a less-than-optimum integration level. 7/10

Glenrothes 35yo 1968/2004 (40%, Duncan Taylor) (selected by pat gva): nose: hair lacquer, a minuscule lick of butter, pencil shavings and shortbread, shortcrust pastry, powdered sugar. All that is refined and elegant. Mouth: fresh and vibrant; pat gva finds it soapy -- he is clearly drunk. The palate also has a pinch of white pepper and flower petals. Finish: pastry, custard tartlets and a foamy soap drop that does not bother me at all, but is too much for pat gva. Even JS likes this, and she usually hates Glenrothes. :-) 8/10

Bruichladdich 25yo 1965/1991 (53.5%, Gordon & MacPhail Cask Strength, C#5525/4430/5531) (selected by JS): this is rather ashy, with scorched earth and Danish pastry (pat gva). Soon, a layer of camphor overpowers the rest, which I find annoying. Even later, kaffir lime leaves appear, barely hiding a whiff of dunnage warehouse. Mouth: big and powerful, it has freshly-tanned leather, lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves again, ginger, galangal, cinnamon -- it is pretty spicy. Finish: long and assertive, without being intrusive, it has ginger and cinnamon, bubble gum (those brown Boules Magiques, for those who know), cassia bark. It becomes drying at second sip. This one is good, though borderline too woody. 8/10

Glenglassaugh 13yo 1977/1991 (59.8%, Cadenhead) (selected by pat gva): nose: damp dogs (pat gva), mint and petrichor (damp forest floor, after a few drops of rain), thuja bark, "motor oil," says pat gva. "Castrol, or Motul?" I ask. "Castrol. More refined taste." I will give him engine oil, though it is subtle. Mouth: mint and watermelon, mojito style. Oh! and lots of power as well. This kicks booty with cinnamon and green chilli. Finish: not at all in line with the nose and mouth, the finish has less spice; it is replaced by butterscotch and peppery shortbread, which is nice. However, it is also a little short and alcohol-y. Too much to score higher, in fact. 8/10

Glenugie 31yo 1966/1998 (53.(%, Signatory Vintage Silent Stills imported by Monnier, C#5082, 206b, b#190, 98/684) (selected by me): nose: what I can only describe as dunnage warehouse on steroids. This nose has clay, damp staves, sweet fruits (carambola, dragon fruit, liqueur-soaked lychee) and freshly-cut grass. Win. Mouth: juicy and fruity, it has even sweeter fruit (lychee and persimmon, chiefly), an earthen floor and wood shavings. A touch of ginger grows in volume too. Finish: never-ending, with similar fruits, a drop of nail varnish, and happiness. This is poifect. 10/10

Benriach 50yo 1966/2016 (54.3%, Gordon & MacPhail for La Maison du Whisky's 50th Anniversary, 1st-Fill American Hogshead, C#606) (selected by JS): nose: well, the wood is there, but the fruit is louder. Underripe grapefruit, Chinese gooseberry, strawberries in punch, blackberries and others. Mouth: soft and juicy, this is pure fruit juice, now. The second sip sees more woody tannins, yet they are under control. The wood also brings a pinch of ginger and hot cinnamon -- nothing too intrusive. Finish: a sprinkle of black pepper, then loads and loads of fruit (veering towards mango and maracuja), with cassia-bark shards thrown on top for good measure. This is lovely. The notes are short, because the night is well under way, but what a dram! 10/10

Time to call it a night. End in a bang we did. What a session! Thanks for all, pat gva. Five stars on Tripadvisor! :-)