Whisky: Michel Couvreur “Blossoming Auld Sherried Whisky”

Country/Region: Scotland/France

ABV: 45%

Cask: Montilla-Moriles Sherry Cask

Nose: Gentle stewed fruits, Pink Lady Apples, peppercorns, quince, pickled ginger, polished wood, faint frankincense, occasionally waxy with burning candles, mild leathery funk, brown sugar.

Palate: Medium-bodied, slightly waxy and oily, rich and bright, stewed fruit, brown sugar, aniseed, apple, frankincense and subtle balsamic, lingering apple, candle wick, and subtle leather at the end.

Finish: Long and lingering with apple, quince, mellow wax, burning candle wick.

Score: 7

Mental Image: Jam Making in the Potion’s Classroom

Narrative & Notes: Rich and gentle, the aroma drifted from stewed fruit and jam-making to sacred chants and quiet contemplation. Stewed fruits with subtle cinnamon, ginger, and peppercorns arrived with teases of quince jelly, Pink Lady or Reinette apples, and sweet pickled ginger. Caramelizing brown sugar and polished wood developed with a light leathery funk, frankincense, and waxy burning candles. Medium-bodied, the whisky gradually developed a lovely gravity and weight on the palate with a delightful, oily, waxy quality. Rich and bright with stewed fruit, crisp apple, brown sugar, aniseed, frankincense, and a subtle balsamic glaze. Apple lingered through to the end with extinguished candle wick and a slight leather funk. The finish was long and lingered with apple, quince, a subtle wax, and a touch of burning candle wick.

While the age and source of the whisky are not given, it is hard not to imagine this was one of the few distilleries known for a waxier, or at least thicker, mouthfeel and that the whisky was reasonably mature. The mouthfeel and balance lent themselves to the impression of a whisky over twenty years old; unfortunately, there is no way to know just how close or far off I am in those assumptions. I found this mystery malt to be the most coherent and well-rounded (read smoother) release from Michel Couvreur I have tried.

Overall, a delightful blend of pleasant sherry notes with some nice malty depth. While the flavor band was relatively narrow, it combined sweet stewed fruits with more savory leather, spice, and balsamic elements. The wood was perhaps a touch too strong at times, but the overall effect was still quite nice. Even the apple notes, typically not my favorite, provided a nice crisp contrast to the fruits.

Image Credit: Whisky Saga