Tullibardine 42yo 1966/2008 (49.9%, OB for Kensington, C#3509, Hogs Head, 246 Bts.)

Yet another private bottling for the Canadian province of Alberta; one has to wonder if they ever work or do they simply sit around all day dreaming of the next cask? Evidently they put their money where there mouth is. The color is an astonishing deep ruby red and the nose reveals Bing cherries, sour candies (think way back to Tilly’s acid drops) and suddenly the fooling around is over; big oak spice, hints of clove, bees wax and many, many things wooden and antique. After a few minutes there is a deep sweetness like warm honey. Quite excellent. The taste is very dry and oaky with a moment of varnish and then it takes off with Christmas cake, pear, raisins and brown sugar. The oakiness nicely compliments the sweetness. While it has a big taste there are also some very gentle moments. Multi faceted. Moments of pepper or cinnamon…The finish is dry, long and filled with wood spices, unsweetened cold black tea. Actually the finish is very long and very consistent. A long finish (was that already said?).

Oooofff…this is really nice. Mouth smackingly good. Tullibardine certainly can produce some gems.

C$425

Score 92 points.

Nicely appointed in a blond wooden box lined with tartan…

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