The view from the Golden Promise offers the opportunity to discuss the bottles on display at finespirits.auction from a new perspective, thanks to the experts at the Golden Promise Whisky Bar, Stanislas Kindroz and Salvatore Mannino.
STANISLAS KINDROZ
Blairmont 29 Year Old 1982 Of. Barrel B Cask n°10542 - bottled in 2011 Full Proof
This version of Blairmont was produced in a four-column Savalle still at the Uitvlugt distillery and at cask strength after twenty-nine years of ageing by Velier. This bottle is a deep amber colour. With admirable warmth, the nose unveils fragrances of coffee, chocolate, coconut and orange fillings. It moves fluidly between bitter and sweet, with this versatility highlighted by notes of liquorice. Once aerated, certain aromatic sequences that present themselves evoke the world of cognacs. On the palate, we discover notes of coffee, followed by spices, such as ginger and cinnamon. Sharper than the nose, it reveals medicinal tones on the palate. The finish is spicier and more peppery than the palate. Then, it gradually returns to the sweet side with flavours of caramel sweets and Amarena cherries. This Blairmont 1982 is very interesting because of the different aromatic regions it crosses, alternating between smooth and fine sequences with richer and drier tones noticeable throughout. Simply wonderful.
Albion 25 Year Old 1986 Velier Full Proof Barrels AW - Cask n°10546 - bottled in 2011
The first Demerara rum bottlings by Velier were made in 1996. This Albion has a very pronounced golden colour. On the nose, we get Caroni: phenolic and organic fragrances of engine oil and asphalt emerge from the glass. We're not far from hydrocarbons. A wonderful freshness is expressed by scents of green Chartreuse, eucalyptus and cardamom. The attack on the palate contrasts with this freshness through its syrupy texture, reminiscent of coffee and plant liqueurs. Followed by notes of liquorice, preceding a chocolatey mid-palate and a finish marked by flavours of clementines, adding a juicier and more lucid layer to the tasting experience. Aeration enriches the aromatic palate with spiced and lightly exotic flavours, such as passionfruit. The finish, rather herbaceous, stands out for its balance. It would be easy to forget the moment and say that this Albion 1986 is a very fine whiskey... With its phenolic fragrances and flavours of great depth that are revealed throughout the tasting, it seems to have everything needed to please lovers of great lightly peated whiskies and rum alike.
Diamond 15 Year Old 1996 Of. Full Proof Barrels SVW - bottled in 2011 Velier
Distilled in a Coffey still, this rum is a blend of five casks (#7080-7084) from SVW, bottled in 2011 at cask strength, of course. It is mahogany in colour. As we bring the glass up to our nose, its freshness strikes us first, with notes of worked wood. These tones of wood are rich, plunging you into an old attic in your mind. Here too, there is a link to be made with some of the greatest whiskies. Then, fragrances of vanilla syrup, ripe banana and cola-flavoured sweets emerge. The attack on the palate is strong, with notes of vanilla, spices, such as pepper and cardamom, and hints of wood. Not too dissimilar from some bourbons. The sweetness is very pleasant and is made more so by a certain smoothness which settles eventually on the palate. This is followed tastefully by flavours of hazelnut which further anchor this Diamond in the universe. The beginning of the finish is immediately marked by notes of coconut. At this point, the tones of wood have completely evaporated. The similarities between this Diamond 1996 and American whiskies is obvious.
Port Mourant 13 Year Old 1993 Velier Full Proof Barrels PM - One of 2994 - bottled in 2006
This version was produced at the Uitvlugt distillery in a Port Mourant still. It is the product of a blend of ten casks with a deep golden colour. The nose is intense! It's easy to see why Port Mourant appeals to whisky lovers. The fragrances that escape from the glass evoke smoke and malted barley… it is both impressive and unsettling at the same time! Behind this, we find delicious notes of quince jelly, brioche and mint syrup... After the intensity of the initial impression, a certain charm rears its head to us. Like the nose, the palate goes through different sequences. It begins with notes of tobacco, liquorice and nutmeg. Then flavours of dark chocolate, mint and cane sugar syrup reveal bitterness, freshness and sweetness. Once aerated, the finish on the palate is floral (violets) and infused with honey and hibiscus. The beginning of the finish sends us back to childhood, with our heads in a packet of sweets. It then becomes more medicinal with notes of cardamom and clove. This Port Mourant 1993 is spirited and charming.
