CRAIGDUFF 45 ans 1973 30th Anniversary Signatory Vintage

Nose : full-bodied, unusual. At first, notes of biscuit and rice pudding take up the entire aromatic palette. Next, candied fruit (pear, pineapple) and a very delicate peat punch through this veil of sweet pastry. With increasing depth, it develops bourbon vanilla, fresh walnut and corinthian raisin once allowed to breathe. Extremely young at heart, its fragrances of white florals (white lilac, lily of the valley) evoke springtime.

Palate : both lively and mellow. Equipped with wonderfully fruity acidity (grape, lemon), the attack is also roasted (coffee, praline), milky (coconut) and honeyed (acacia). The rich mid-palate has lots of texture. Skin tannins (peach, apricot) create a very volutpuous mouthfeel. With lots of originality, the malted barley's recollections feed a powdery end to the palate characterized by notes of candied sugar.

Overall : long, balanced. The very expressive finish is delicately peaty and earthy (clay, putty). Then, with presence, fresh fruits (Mirabelle plum, white currant) create an impressive about-turn. In reality, it turns back time to its early youth. The retronasal olfaction is remarkably mature and complex (blueberry, cocoa, cinnamon, ginger). The empty glass invites us to breathe in the smoke of a powerful Havana cigar, soot and walnut husk.