Longmorn 1972 38 Year Old GM Celtic Label #1078

As expected from GM sherry maturation, this Longmorn is a noble example. Longmorn LONGMORN 1972-2011 38yo GM celtic label #1078 53.9% one of 410 bottles, 1st Fill Sherry Butt The nose offers noble sherry and mint, with the rich aroma of koshu grapes, dried fruits, herbs, and clove. It has a good woody character with an earthy loam note. The palate delivers a fine sherry, with vitamin-like chemical nuances but also strong tropical fruits like pineapple and grape juice. The sweetness is pronounced, with a slightly stronger woody character and tannic dryness, but it's not overpowering. The finish is long. [Good/Very Good] The Longmorn 1972, aged for 38 years with the GM Celtic label. The nose delivers as expected: noble sherry and mint, with koshu grape juice leading a diverse array of fruits. The herbal and spicy notes, along with the loamy earthiness, were impressive. On the palate, there's a slight vitamin-like chemical nuance, but the appealing grape juice character remains. The tropical fruits that sometimes appear in 1972 bottlings are clearly present here. The sweetness is strong, and while the woody character and tannic dryness are somewhat pronounced, they weren't overwhelming due to the deliberate drinking approach. Compared to 1960s long-matured bottlings, this may have a slightly shorter maturation period and more restrained tannic dryness. Interestingly, the second pour was even smoother than the first. It's certain that this will become even smoother with a few more years. Among the released Longmorn bottles with Celtic labels, this 1972 was towards the end of the series. I had considered passing on it due to being tired of similar bottlings, but in hindsight, I should have purchased it.