Michel Couvreur Auprès De Ma Bonde 48%

This Couvreur cuvee was distilled in 2008 and bottled in 2017, after a 9yo ageing in a sherry half-butt for a limited release (213 bottles). Let’s go!

Colour: Dark amber, red lights. Irregular heavy tears.

Nose: Strong balsamic shades at first, immediately followed by distinct oxidised Savagnin wine scents. Vinous notes (old Châteauneuf-du-Pape, and more precisely reminding me of 2006 Beaucastel) melted into an elegant malt patina.

Palate: Rich texture, with a tad of malt-driven dryness in the aftertaste. Delicious nutty notes on hazelnut cream and roasted walnut. The palate is screaming PX. Lingering tobacco notes. Very nice rancio shades on humidor and cocoa.

Last Notes: Opulent chocolate scents with air. Precious wood notes. Heady dry floral notes on potpourri. Earthy shades, almost yuzu-like. Back on the palate, you get the strong nutty bitterness of very old Port, with a gentle patina still present in the aftertaste.

Beautiful whisky, very typical Couvreur expression. Hardly recommended, except for those who are fond of oxidised profiles.

My very subjective note: 89/100