Miltonduff-Glenlivet 38yo 1978/2017 (46.5%, Cadenhead Authentic Collection 175th Anniversary, Bourbon Hogshead, 180b): nose: vegetal and mineral, it has garden herbs (sage, marjoram), distant ivy or vine and gravel/pebbles. The gravel is starting to be covered in moss, but then it is underneath leafy trees (oaks and beeches). A few acorns hint at more woody things to come, and -- would you know it? Here they are: cask bung, old, dry staves, greasy newspapers, even ink, though only from the newspapers, not a bucketful of it. A gentle, waxy tone appears, after a while, with candle sticks, rapeseed oil and cashew-nut oil. Pencil shavings show up in the back as well. Mouth: with a lively and tense attack, the lowish ABV presents a perfect strength for me. Cinnamon sticks and ginger shavings allow a milky note to shine, almond milk, butterscotch, toffee, and roasted coconut flesh (fresh, not desiccated). Green-chilli slices topping a hazelnut paste, green hazelnuts, green olives in oil. The mouth is not overly complex, but it oscillates between nuts and chocolate-y wood, which I find excellent. Finish: long and comforting, the finish sees the same milky and chocolate-y notes from the mouth; toffee, butterscotch, cinnamon powder, sprinkled over caramel, Scottish tablet. It has a pinch of grated bitter chocolate to complement the dominant milk chocolate, and green hazelnut comes back too, next to macadamia nuts. Lovely. 8/10 (Thanks for the sample, SW)
Dufftown-Glenlivet 38yo 1978/2017 (44.6%, Cadenhead Authentic Collection 175th Anniversary, Bourbon Hogshead, 180b): nose: strongly citric, this exhales lemons, preserved lemons, mandarins, limoncello, bergamot foliage, fresh pineapple chunks and Chinese gooseberry slices. A delicate note of plywood then joins in on the fun, dry hazel sticks and hazel leaves. Later, it is uncut melon and tagetes, gerania, and the return of the citrus. What a lovely nose this is! Mouth: all softness and elegance, it has little bite, but much citrus again, with orange marmalade, candied mandarin segments, cut satsumas and ripe, juicy tangerines. Limoncello, fresh, clean, fruity and a little drying from the acidity. It feels like sweetened limoncello, though: despite the acidity, it is sweet alright. The texture is that of pulpless orange juice and has the perfect mouthfeel and weight. Finish: an infernal gig of citrus, tonic water and a few leaves, thrown in for good measure (and added bitterness). The tonic brings saltiness, aside the bitterness, the leave (bergamot or mandarin, if they are to be identified) give a green and gently bitter side, whilst the citrus, well, shines. Orange rinds, tangerine segments, not-so-ripe satsumas all balance the Schweppes to make the best gin-and-tonic in town. You know: the one without gin. 9/10 (Thanks for the sample, SW) |
| Ah-swish! |
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