01/01/2021 New Year's dram

Slaney Malt 11yo 2001/2013 (57%, Limerick Selection, C#9929, 235b): nose: buttery tropical fruit, sweet and soft-fleshed; mango, jackfruit, dragon fruit, grapefruit. All of those are on the subtle side, as if seven years in an open bottle had faded them. Tonic water and lemonade soon enter the scene, followed by curry leaves and clementine foliage. White peach, white kiwi and perhaps a drop of milk chocolate. Later on, a note of oily walnut tickles the nostrils. Mouth: acidic and creamy, the palate displays passion fruit, blended with pomelo and lime. It seems almost effervescent (lime tonic water, I guess), but has a certain oiliness to it as well. Avocado oil, macadamia-nut oil, and gorgeous, juicy fruit. Tonic water transforms into lemon-y hazelnut paste, acidic, bitter, whilst still creamy. Soon, passion fruit steps back into the spotlight. Finish: mango comes back, as does jackfruit. They prop up the now-expected citrus (lime and pomelo) and fruit pulp (the afore mentioned buttery side). There are touches of hazelnut, or macadamia, bringing a very faint bitterness in the finish, as well as some melted milk chocolate -- oh! Yes, it remains creamy until the end. What a wonderful drop! Solid 8/10 (Thanks for the dram, JS)