Sansibar x Alca Selection Speyside 1976 Aged 42 Years

Style: Light Sherry and Fruity

Rating: ☆+ [Recommended]

Nose:

Begins with fresh but elegant sherry fruits at the front. Cranberries with a slight copper polish, figs on whipped cream, apples, oranges and dried strawberries placed on top of hearty malt and cornflakes. Peppermint stalk giving a gentle spike, whereas blueberries, assorted fruits jelly and wine gummies underlined by a mossy mineral tone till the end.

Palate:

Sweet assorted red fruits give the softest touchdown and quickly dispersed on the palate. Light cranberries, dried figs, watermelon, rose petals, yellow apples, orange and peels - all the fruits now manifest freely at the front court. Heavier cherries come in and morphing towards hints of cough syrup. Austere vibe kicking in, a few drops of dense balsamic vinegar buffered by vanilla cream, blackcurrants riding on a peppermint wave, while white oak digging lower and setting up the dryness with a distinctive amount of white pepper and sawdust. Maybe a bit bitterish towards the end.

Finish:

The oak is still holding on, while sweet strawberries and cranberries released and expanded fairly quickly over time. Sweet and nice.

Thoughts:

The profile reminds me of Fino cask while somehow it also feels Oloroso has a hand on it. But my money is Fino if I have to choose one. Can’t it be both? Well, anything is possible in this world these days. Anyway, love the “lightness” of this dram and nothing is overwhelming which gives the nuances to develop and the spirit an elegant touch to it. The whole expression is quite lively and complex as the oak, while visible, does not interfere with other elements. A rather rare style, especially at this age, is very drinkable.

[45.2% | Independent Bottling | 1976 Distilled | 2018 Bottled | Non Coloured | Non Chill Filtered | 386 Bottles | *+]

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