Longrow 100 Proof 10 Years Old Bottled for Usquebaugh Society 57% 199

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Serge Valentin (92)

Colour: straw.

Nose: interestingly, this one is easier than the 14, not because of its strength of course but because the wood has coated the spirit a little more, taming the fairly aggressive coastal and sooty/smoky character. It’s a little grassier as well, waxier, cleaner, probably a little more elegant… And more metallic. With water: oh, the mustard in this! Calms down after a few seconds, leaving more room for some waxy and even ashier and sootier notes. Wet rocks, well-finished oysters (not in table wine barrels, mind you) and damp earth, humus, well-aged pu-erh tea.

Mouth (neat): starts a little shyish but then it’s all going tidal, if you see what I mean. Not complex, rather extremely compact, on ashes, bitter oranges, smoked tea and green olives (and their brine). Yes, not complex but wonderful. With water: same, with the smokiness more to the front.

Finish: endless, flinty, grassy, briny and smoky. In short, Longrowish.

Comments: my style. I could spend two (well, seven) evenings with a large glass of this in my hands. And only ten years old! Congrats to both Franck McHardy (does he have his statue now?) and the Usquebaugh Society, this one was great.