702

   Glendronach and Karuizawa 
for Christmas  
    Glendronach 41 yo 1972/2013 (51.7%, OB, batch 9, oloroso sherry butt, cask #702, 448 bottles) I know, Glendronach again... Colour: dark amber. Nose: it's menthol that comes out first, together with some liquorice and quite a few tinier terpenic aromas. Pinesap, cough medicine... All that gives this oldie a huge feeling of freshness before the old-cognac side starts to unfold in a wonderful manner. That means plenty of raisins, then ripe peaches, honey and cherries in kirsch. Amazing freshness, no fatty chocolaty tones, so all is pretty perfect so far. With water: swims like Shirley Babashoff. Who remembers Shirley Babashoff? Stunning herbal profile, always amazingly fresh. And I love these tangerines, its all getting even more christmassy. Even some quality limoncello. Mouth (neat): the cherries are back, together with some strong chestnut honey and, this time, more chocolate and kumquats. Earl grey tea, a little mocha coffee, drops of bitter herbal tea (peach leaves, maybe) and a little curry. Excellent. With water: really rather sweeter than other old oloroso monsters, and with many more oranges, tangerines and kumquats. Plus these touches of menthol that keep lifting the whole into the most ethereal heights (yeah yeah, right...) Finish: long, on some kind of high-end mint flavoured tea mixed with grapefruit juice. Comments: I don't find all old sherry monsters very elegant and refined. This one is. Utterly lovable, like many 1972s. Merry Christmas!SGP:561 - 93 points.

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