Glenlivet - 21 year Single Malt Scotch Archive (750ml)

Colour: Amber with sparkling copper shades. Nose: Without water: Opulent, mature. Sherry influence. An intricate array of fruit and wood. Christmas cake-like. Sultanas. Maraschino Cherry. Thick-cut marmalade. Oak panels in an old church. A cedary touch. Balsamic spices. Cubèbe pepper. A hint of eucalyptus. Tropical hardwood. Oak soon gives way to malty notes. Fruit and fibre cereal bowl. Toasted granary bread. Citrussy freshness. Orange and kumquat peel. Some cakey notes. A reminder of Grand Marnier soufflé. With water: Water enlightens the fruity bouquet and brings out vanilla notes. Lighter notes of ripe peaches. Pear and marzipan pie. Luscious barley sugar aromas. Rubbed on the hand: Flour, wholemeal-bread dough, then crusty cereal bread. Palate: Without water: Unctuous. Mouth-coating, almost syrupy. Full-bodied. Sultana cake. Ginger biscuits. Oak holds the reins back, releasing a drying spiciness. Cinnamon and ginger. A touch of hot paprika. Walnut and raisins dark chocolate. With water: More sweetness but wood and fruit are not so well integrated. A watery gap at mid-palate. And a bitter note in the finish. Bare oakiness shows up a little blatantly. Finish: Everlasting, warming. Nutty. Toasted hazelnuts. A full layer of liquorice.

Opening bouquet offers sedate fragrances of dried flowers and malted barley; aeration stimulates marginally bigger aromas of dried yellow fruit (baked banana), toasty oak barrel and still-vigorous spirit. Palate entry is succulent, honeyed and luscious; midpalate tastes of dates, figs, S'mores, cocoa butter, nougat and dark fudge. Finishes oily, buttery, honey-sweet and focused.