MARS 2016 Komagatake Shinshu Aging The Little Big Book

Nose : fine, subtle. The medicinal (ointment, mustard poultice) initial nose offers a peat rooted in a subsoil that overflows with salts. Allowed to breathe, it develops medicinal (camphor, mustard seed) notes. At the same time, fresh fruits (pear, white peach) release their deliciously sweet juices. Next, heady florals (lily, carnation) and aromatic plants (mint, verbena) cover delicately peaty grains of malted barley in their bewitching perfumes.

Palate : clear, precise. The attack is irresistible. Smoke and ash are placed on the palate with lots of finesse. Immediately after, very noble spices (cardamom), almond, coconut and candied citrus fruit (grapefruit, lemon) bring lots of freshness to the mid-palate. The original end of the palate reveals flavours of cut hay and patchouli-flavoured lucerne.

Overall : long, concentrated. With remarkable maturity, the start of the finish ventures into the world of absinthe. Extremely lush, it gradually becomes increasingly milky (coconut), vegetal and oily (green olive). Rich marzipan notes then bring to mind an almond pastry. On the retro-nasal olfaction, malted barley and peat rival each other in intensity, whilst green apples add a particularly invigorating sour dimension. The empty glass is naturally malty, herbaceous and medicinal.