Glentauchers 34 1989 - 2023 HL, WB: 243114

Nose: Citrus family, mango and other exotic tropical fruits. Caramel and marshmallows – mars offal. Candy factory, honey - fir and acacia, at least a reminiscence.

1h: sawmill, 3h: aged grain, grappa, mountain herb schnapps, mulled white wine, calvados. Candyshop. Youth and freshness alternate with dignified and wise. Confusingly complex. The years reverb in the nose with every passing minute. Like an echo from the cask's past.

Mouth 3h: Slate Riesling, green apple, green tea - more like matcha brewed too hot. Herbal teas, sage, camomile and verbena. Nutmeg, dust, Bach flower therapy. Orange pips bitten through.

Finish 4h: very long. Unripe pistachios, allspice, nutmeg, chestnut skin. Some bitter almond oil. Orange peel zest and a few drops of grapefruit juice. I couldn't elicit any further flavour secrets with water.

Expectations were high. The bottom line is that this Glentauchers remains undersized.

"You have greatness in you. Take your hurt, your loss, take your pain, make it into something useful."  - Fisk.

89/100

 

Hazelburn 15 2008 - 2023 WB: 243069

Nose: What if… rancid nuts are forgotten in a bag for months. Mainly pecan. What if… a woman's perfume drips onto marzipan. What if… someone is served Armagnac and plum brandy with a hearty curry dish at a Vietnamese restaurant. Nose 1h: In a parallel universe, cigars are allowed at the table and tobacco is passed around. What. If someone crushes a grapefruit in the process. Nose 2h: In this universe, I smell date syrup and pencil shavings. Cellar mustiness and a pipe that's been left uncleaned for two weeks.

Mouth 2h: What...is that sticky sweetness? Sugar icing on doughnuts. What happens when doughnuts are pureed with Aachener Pflümli and a  mustard. Ginger and hot paprika form the space-time structure. Spicy cinnamon and bitter almonds. Edges and corners. Bulkiness. In a very tight lift, in too tight a suit. Agoraphobia.

Finish: Spicy, burning, sweet, warming, pondering. Some espresso after the sumptuous meal. Ginger. Many impressions and depressing thoughts.

 

"I See You." - Ultron

 

 87 / 100