Gordon & MacPhail Gordon & MacPhail Glenlivet 1940 70 Years Old

Description

Gordon & MacPhail Gordon & MacPhail Glenlivet 1940 70 Years Old

So unusual, especially now, to get a whisky distilled in the war years. This one has stood the test of time well and although it has characteristics you would associate with an old whisky it is still fresh and vibrant. This Gordon & MacPhail Glenlivet 1940 70 years old is outstanding. From an American oak sherry butt.

Tasting Notes

Nose

G&M: A mild nose-feel. The first aroma is of an old cocktail cabinet, with Sherry notes predominating; polished wood, soft leather and a trace of candle wax. Behind this are fruity notes, lightly baked apples (even Tarte Tatin), but also fresh orange juice, and just a thread of smoke or ash in the distance. Adding a drop of water suppresses the fruity notes and slightly enhances the sweetness (now tablet) and smokiness. The WSD: Polished leather (shoes polished yesterday and not warn), apricot jam, fruit pastels, candid orange peel, marmalade on hot buttered toast, bees wax, velvet, honey and cigarette boxes.

Taste

G&M: A waxy, teeth-coating mouthfeel; smooth and voluptuous. The taste is sweetish to start, then savoury, with a trace of salt � might this be a rare example of �umami� in whisky, the elusive fifth primary taste? The finish is long, with a faint smokiness in the aftertaste. Drinks well at natural strength. With a drop of water the flavours remain intact. The WSD: Brown sugar sweet, very full and rounded, spiced wood, orange bitters, candle wax and vanilla pods.

Finish

G&M: Fades gracefully towards vanilla fudge and sanded wood. The WSD: Extremely long with gentle spices, a touch of tannins, and a pleasant dryness.