21/10/2024 Caperdonich

38.22 25yo d.1992 Love letters on linen paper (51%, SMWS Society Cask imported by Spirits Imports, Refill ex-Bourbon Barrel, 270b): nose: what a nose! A blend of yellow fruits and pollen, propolis and furniture polish. Pan-fried cut peaches topped with cracked black pepper, Mirabelle plums, and barbecued nectarines sprinkled with ginger powder, smashed physalis, and more and more polish -- car polish dominates, now, so discernible, in fact, that one can smell the steel underneath it. Closing one's eyes, one gets a whiff of new-car interior, with plastic-resin dashboards and synthetic seats. Oh! it is not particularly noble a scent, but a comforting one all the same. The second nose seems jammier and more metallic, a pot of stewing fruits with a ladle bathing in it, and a spoonful of cocoa powder. Given time, cured physalis reaches the nostrils. Mouth: on the palate, it is a clear explosion of yellow fruits -- peaches, nectarines, Mirabelle plums, physalis. Chewing gives a very-soft bitterness, which hints at those fruits' stones. There is also a gentle note of tobacco smoke that comes closer to light cigarettes than to cigars or a pipe. That said, the fruits are quick to come back; it really is a juicy-fruity number-and-a-half. The second sip starts off juicier yet, then turns acidic and drying to a point. We have cinnamon powder, powdered milk, and distinct peppermint, Boule Magique style, supported by juicy peach and a spoonful of honey. Finish: the logical continuation of the above, the finish presents the same fruits in a jam format, and just a dollop of polish. It is at its bitterest here, however, part steel, part leaves, part fruit stones. Nothing unpleasant; just a mild and fresh bitterness. Milk chocolate rocks up towards the death. The second gulp doubles down on the chocolate: it now takes the form of chocolate milk topped with a drizzle of caramel. I hoped for this to be good, but it is unexpectedly excellent. 9/10 (Thanks, TC)