Tag: 44% ABV

Rating 6/ 10
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Chateau de Ravignan 28 Year 1984 44%

Nose: Figs, plums, sugar cookies, cashews, really nice subtle floral layer (rose hip, violet) and perfume, olive, pickled pepper, tomato vine.

Palate: All spice and nutmeg, combo of wood tannin and intense apple vinegar notes, pink peppercorn; much better on a big sip

Rating: 6 / 10 – what a beast. The nose is bonkers lovely and on its own I would gladly own a bottle just to enjoy the bouquet, but once you sip, KAPOW, like 1950s batman, it kicks your ass. In a really good way.

Rating 7/ 10
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Domaine du Hourtica 1996 @ 44%

Nose: This is a complicated nosebeast. A scoop of Rum-raisin ice cream and an espresso gelato, cuddled in a bowl of charred oak. It could be a great pairing, and I keep coming back to it as I am working. 10 minutes later and I still haven’t sipped it. Just smells great… with a rich yet dry umami note, nearly cecina or biltong. It could be a seasonal special old spice blend. I took responsibility for a company today and I viscerally feel the dual sides of both a new adventure, and the weight and pressure that comes with it. I don’t have to look far to see an ocean of conflicting complexities. Just hoping the palate, and my new team con find harmony.

Palate: Oh.. huh. The first impression is that it is a touch thin, but slow the duck down man and give it space to speak. Probably the best advice I’ve been given when stepping into a new role. It’s hard to just listen when my body and soul are powered for perpetual motion. I’m listening Hourtica. The palate really blooms with patience. This is quite lovely and coats the tongue with oak, leather, coffee beans and pomegranate. Cloves, nutmeg, and a dusting of dark chocolate. This is an armchair pour.

Rating: 7 / 10 – I’m genuinely surprised by the 7. It was a 6, but then I got to the bottom, and started googling to see how much a bottle costs. And if that isn’t a 7.. Well what is.

Rating 7/ 10
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Lheraud Petite Champagne 2011 Cask Sample #? @ 44%

Nose: Sauternes, limestone, crisp salmon skin, wheat grass.

Palate: Amazing gentle sweetness, agave nectar, honey dew melon juice, roasted almonds, browned butter. The earthiness of cascara tea without any tannins. almost reminds me of a late harvest wine the way it lands. It’s incredibly simple, but what a beautiful note.

Rating: 7 / 10 – it’s so strange how the nose and palate differ yet align. The nose has funk I notice but doesn’t overwhelm on the palate like the 2002. The sip is lovely. Just lovely. And for a good price this is an easy sipper any day but I might not pay a Lheraud premium for it. It lacks complexity, but It’s what I would give non drinkers in a tiny shot after a large meal any day in place of the traditional honey rum served here in the canaries.

Rating 6/ 10
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Cusenier Rhum Rico 1960s-1970s @ 44%

Nose: Craft root beer, light molasses, rubber tree sap, nispero (medlar), freshly printed paper/ink, juicy fruit bubble gum, medicinal

Palate: Oh wow, that’s very light and gentle, black olives, gummy peaches, orange water.

Rating: 5 (Shane) 6 (Ryan) / 10 – just a lovely fruity spirit. blended, no distillery, Martinique, most likely aged in Bordeaux

Rating 6/ 10
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Marie Brizard Charleston Rhum 1960s @ 44%

Nose: Sarsaparilla, monkey bread, muscovado sugar, axe body spray (haha), wintergreen, camphor, indian anise seed they serve at the curry houses, coriander, curry spices.

Palate: Greek olives, dates, sterile medical gauze, herbal, sarsaparilla candies, turkish chicken spices, anise / fennel

Rating: 5 (Ryan) 6 (Shane) / 10 – such a diverse spirit

Rating 6/ 10
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Gaston Legrand Bas Armagnac (Lheraud) 1975 44%

Nose: Old wool sweater my grandfather wore when he had been smoking pipe tobacco. Mexican dark chocolate, incredibly rich

Palate: Incredible start. The first impact is lovely but the middle is missing something. Floral, sweet, spices. Beautiful but needs some oomph. Sorry for the vague notes today.

Rating: 6 / 10 – beautiful but missing a kick