GLENDRONACH 27 ans 1993 Oloroso Puncheon Single Cask Conquête

Nose : fleshy, juicy. Coated in a fine layer of emery cloth, the first nose wonderfully embodies Glendronach’s rancio (orange, cherry, apricot), empyreumatic (tar), herbaceous (bay leaf, lime blossom), almost peaty and earthy character. Outstanding. Allowed to breathe, heady florals (rose, lavender) make an original appearance alongside notes of rice that evoke the world of sake. This oriental touch is confirmed with aromas of blossoming cherry trees.

Appearance : orangey copper.

Palate : lively yet generous. First, spices and chillies (cinnamon, clove, Cayenne pepper) pierce the palate. Almost simultaneously, sweet orange juice and salted butter caramel refresh the taste buds. This balance of flavours is completed with a stunning vegetal, roasted (coffee) and malted bitterness. Acting as the grand finale, the end of the palate is honeyed (lime blossom, heather), chocolatey and exotic (mango, passion fruit).

Overall : long, intense. The same exotic fruits become increasingly present and are now accompanied by persimmon and guava. So strong are the flavour palette’s powers of expression, it is almost as though we have begun a new tasting. Suddenly, notes of watercress, rocket and pine resin open up new, so-far-hidden horizons. Once again, Glendronach has outdone itself. On the retro-nasal olfaction, nuts (almond, walnut) and aromatic plants (chervil, oregano) set the pace. The empty glass takes us to the distillery’s warehouses to breathe in the scents of resting sherry casks.