We’re getting closer to the next Milano Whisky Festival, the most important Whisky event in our contradictory country. The programs of the masterclasses are being published and they’re all very interesting: today we want to highlight the Wilson & Morgan one (a very Italian independent bottler, despite the name), because – in our opinion – has the best quality price ratio. The masterclass includes five very respectable malts, all cask strength and colorant free: a 21 yo Laphroaig aged in a sherry cask, a Bunnahabhain 1968, a Port Ellen 1982, a Glenlivet 1975… and this tomatin 35yo, distilled in 1976 and bottled in 2011, after 35 years spent in the cask #10 of sherry Oloroso. Color is copper.
N: you almost can’t feel the alcohol. It has a big personality, gloriously structured in the shape of a sherry well aged, with a lot of charm. Let’s explain: an extremely complex nose, this is what we found: the sherried profile is immediately “dirtied” of spectacular notes of wet wood, old cellar, beeswax, propolis… Afterwards, slowly, it opens up to so much more, deep and intense fruit (peaches in syrup,ripe banana), afterwards the more expected notes (chocolate, a bit of red fruits, orange marmalade, apple pie). In constant evolution: infinite nuances, rhubarb, cloves, delicate notes of prunes marmalade, mint; there is a leafy sweetness that is difficult to identify. Delicate, intense, with a huge variety of sides and angles. Fantastic. With few drops of water it becomes slightly more woody.
P: stunning… explosions of fruits, bursts of flavors, a tsunami of intensity. The first impact is fruity, very warm, with red fruits (a very clear cherry note) and tropical fruits dancing together. Afterwards the woody notes, slightly bitter, with lots of dried fruits; extraordinary intensity of flavors with a very smooth body. Peppery notes, candied ginger; a bit of vanilla; a citric touch (orange peel).
F: really long and fruity, wood, dried fruit, vanilla, cherries, bitter chocolate, orange… Long, intense, just wow!
The nose is simply fantastic, with an incredible complexity, full of nuances, in constant evolution; the palate is more “standard” but with a crazy intensity of flavors. If we can give a suggestion, don’t add any water: somehow, seems to us that would not improve the really incredible experience. Our humble vote is 92/100.
Recommended soundtrack: Wendy Rene – After laughter come tears.
