This is, naturally, the oldest Miyagikyo of them all. And as usual, it refuses to play by the rules, being remarkably pale for such a venerable age. Colour: full gold. Nose: oh yes, a greenhouse in full bloom, little rubber objects, school erasers, bitter almonds, toasted pecans, sesame cream, peanut butter… Then pink grapefruit and the tiniest touch of fresh turmeric. The coherence and compactness of the whole are quite sublime. With water: little flowers and herbs come rushing in, pansies, borage, wood sorrel… And you can eat all of those too! (a very French concern). Mouth (neat): incredible citrus fruits and the finest Wulong tea. That implies a certain tannicity, very obvious here, but mingled with those citrus fruits, it melts into the whole and becomes a tremendous asset. A touch of linseed oil. With water: a veritable collection of little oils, peanut, rapeseed, sesame, hazelnut, pistachio… Finish: fairly long, very elegant, with pistachio at the helm. Thin Mints in the aftertaste. Comments: what a beauty! But once again, mind the water. These high strengths can tempt you into adding too much ‘without thinking’, and there’s no way back. A glorious drop, nonetheless.
SGP:452 - 93 points.
- Whiskyfun
