LONGROW 1974 16yo Official Bottling 46%

The blend of old sherry and peat is simply irresistible. LONGROW LONGROW 1974 16yo Official Bottling 46% The aroma is a harmonious blend of pleasant old sherry and refined, strong peat, with notes of apricot jam, concentrated black tea, seaweed and seafood dashi, a rustic, robust barley character from the depths, and leaf mold. Upon drinking, it starts with a smooth mouthfeel that expands into an aromatic depth, featuring berry and apricot jams, a rich sweetness, refined tannins, earthy leaf mold and subtle leather notes, finishing with a pleasant, intoxicating aftertaste. 【Very Good/Excellent】 This official bottling of LONGROW 1974 is aged for 16 years. At first glance, it strongly reflects the influence of sherry casks, but unlike Macallan, it carries a slightly rustic strength in its old sherry character, beautifully fused with peat. It exhibits the rustic barley notes and diverse umami elements characteristic of LONGROW, while the earthy leaf mold and leather nuances also come forward. All these elements, combined with aging, create a unified, exceptional aroma. Although it's an extremely glamorous malt, the water addition also brings a smooth elegance, reminiscent of Lagavulin's 25th Anniversary in recent releases. While not yet as elegant, it shares similarities with the Caol Ila Springbank 1997 from Kedehed, and I thought it would be perfect if it had a body that expands further in the latter half of the sip, though this might compromise some elegance. Given the multiple commonalities with recent bottlings, I considered various aspects while drinking it, but ultimately, it's a remarkable bottle. This bottling was opened at the 10th anniversary celebration of Walku Hall in Kodama, Tokyo.