Springbank eat, sleep, dram, repeat tour was absolutely worth the journey and the price. For those of you considering the adventure, here are some tips.
The last few years Armagnac has experienced a small renaissance. The traditional single producer rustic brandy has struck a chord with connoisseurs. At the start..
SMWS 26.151 – Fragrance clings to the hand that gives flowers – Clynelish 26yo 47.3%
Let’s do a SMWS Clynelish tasting! I’ve had very little Clynelish and have heard wonderful things about this bottle. Nose Tangerine, peach/apricot cobbler, honeysuckle, jasmine,..
Nose: flash fried sage leaves, pomegranate arils and orange supremes on a fresh bed of arugula. Toss in Nasturtiums. Such a powerful interplay of floral and fruit. And the wood kicks in, tobacco leaves and nutmeg. Such a dynamic nose.
Palate: ohhhh it’s so juicy. Tangerines and pink peppercorn. Perhaps closer to grapefruit and endives. I brought home these haribos in the shape of gems for my son from Germany this weekend. Turns out they taste like salted licorice. Sad son. But score for me as I love that shit. Good thing as it plays a strong role in this spirit. And then wood towards the finish, a hint of german rye cracker and unsweetened cacao nibs. And when I stopped thinking about it and kept drinking it while working, the warmth from the spices, nutmeg and allspice play a much larger role. The odd thing is that the mouthfeel is both perfectly balanced and yet for some reason, the slightest touch too thin and fades after a few seconds. Ideal for a summer pour.
Rating: 8 / 10 – new domain for me from Tenereze. Excellent nuance.
Glendronach 1993 19 Year Oloroso Sherry Butt #539 60.3% for Japan Exclusive
Nose: fresh grated nutmeg, chocolate covered cranberries, fresh waffles with melted dark chocolate. Loquat / stone fruit moment, that fades and then comes back after setting it down for a while. Ohhhh … Can you imagine a Glendronach reduction on your Belgian waffles? I didn’t tell you to stop pouring sir! Or drizzled on a chocolate pot de creme – to which ryan counters with dipping oreo cookies. This is plain decadence.
Palate: It’s ridiculous how good this is at this exact moment. Like a secret makeout session with my childhood pudding cup. Holy shitballs. From nose to palate it’s so decadent. Chocolate, dates, nutmeg, graham crackers, cloves, black tea, dried cherries, cacao nibs. A big gulp adds a hint of acidity to balance the sweetness, which just levels it up further for me.
Rating: 9 (Shane) 8 (Ryan) / 10 – I want more. I want it so bad.
JC Saunier Grand Champagne Lot 75 / 2025 Uni Blanc 44% by Authentic Spirits
Nose: super ripe peaches right off the tree, cantaloupe and prosciutto, orange peel, cotton candy, stewed apricots, black tea
Palate: vanilla wafers, peach black tea ice tea concentrate, parma violets… this reminds me of the time at Que Leche julie and I had dessert and they served us foie gras on apricot cotton candy. Weird as fuck… we tocked in and the intense sweetness, savorynesses and richness made for a bite that I still remember years later. For its novelty more than its deliciousness. BUT after resting it 30 minutes, it really evolves and the stonefruit vanquishes.
Rating: 7 (Ryan) 6 (Shane) / 10 – I’m so rarely this far apart – with a 9 on the nose and a 5 on the palate. Its like drinking perfume. Its so intense and concentrated. And water didn’t help. Ok, an adjustment… let it rest 30 minutes. What is insane is that we came back to this after a phenomenal 60.3% oloroso Glendronach, and this pour not only holds its own but goes toe to toe. This is quite special. #respect.
Nose: Date granola, raisin nut bran, dried apples.
Palate: Mixed berry jam, figs, peaches, touch of menthol, hint of smoke
Rating: 6 / 10 – a solid and tasty spirit although I don’t love the phenols. I have to wonder how I would like it more or less if it were the first dram.
