A nice sherry cask coming up again! Quite recognizable by the color in this case, which of course influences what you’re tasting. Hoping to get more points this time than a few other times (again) to get at least a little bit of visibility on the Levenswater site (that means, making top 15). Still not there, but I got nearer today!

Nose:
At first I got chocolate with red forest fruits like berries and raspberries. A great start! Some sherry wood and I though to get a whiff of peat which I erased right after. Probably the wood too. I did get a hint of something floral at the end, almost too floral like detergent. After coming back a few times I thought to get a hint of machine oil.

Taste:
Very sharp! There is something thick or greasy as well, but the alcohol burn is immense. Wood, ground pepper and chili pepper and more or less on fire.

Finish:
Again, very sharp and again something thick or greasy. After a few seconds is all subsides to a more human level. Spicy sponge cake with smoked pimenton. A bit like chocolate and mole. Incredibly long.

The sherry style sent me in the direction of the Speyside right away. The machine oil I got on the nose made me think of Longmorn. I guessed it must be around 60% since it has such an incredibly fierce palate, and since the alcohol is so high, I didn’t go for too high an age.

Glenfarclas 15, 26-06-1995 – 28-04-2011, 57.5%, OB for the Usquebaugh Society.

Our own club bottling. The one we picked last year in Hilversum. I don’t remember it being this good, but now I sure regret not getting a bottle or two. Lovely stuff with enough complexity and power to thrill for a while. I’d love to get my hands on a bottle, but those chances are shot by me not buying one when I had the chance. Bummer, but better luck next time!

Still 50 points for only being one year off and getting the region right.