Convalmore 1975 Rare Old Gordon & MacPhail Cask: RO/15/06 46% 1975

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Serge Valentin (88)

I realise that younger whisky lovers may not quite know what Convalmore exactly was. In that case, have a look there before reading this note… Colour: gold. Nose: what’s noticeable in these gone malts is the fatness and the depth, something that’s not always to be found in current distillates. In this case, we’re finding beeswax, graphite oil, then rhubarb and hay, then rather some kinds of earthy oranges and a few mushrooms. Shitake, perhaps? Antique shop, furniture polish… There’s even something coastal, perhaps seashells, clams, something like that… Mouth: truly lovely. After forty years the oak remained discreet (say a little tea-ish), while oranges and ripe pears and apples are running the show. It’s all rather delicate, softer than expected, and even a little cidery. We’re talking proper cider, not those atrocious things such as Strongbow. Finish: medium, perhaps a little too dry now, tea-ish… More and more cider, especially in the aftertaste. Even pear cider – not Perry pear cider, mind you! Something slightly prickly in the aftertaste. Comments: excellent, with many things to say. As often, it’s in the finish that things go a little less well. That’s normal…