Svenska Eldvatten Vintage 1979 Sherry Matured

Svenska Eldvatten Vintage 1979 Sherry Matured, 33 YO, 52,2 %

A rather unusual blend today, a single cask blend. The new make spirits were blended back in 1979, then poured into a single sherry cask. The blend was left to marry and mature for 33 years. The whisky was then bottled by Svenska Eldvatten in October 2013, at cask strength 52,2 ABV. The outturn was 197 bottles.

You can still purchase this whisky at the Swedish Systembolaget at SEK 1497 (item number 84504).

Nose (23/25): Light and delicate. Reminds me of prosecco with strawberries. There is some fruitiness here, or maybe I should stick to fresh berries. Quite sweet - lovely vanilla notes mixed in with the warmer berries. A hint of oak. Lovely stuff.

Taste (22/25): Chocolate, of the darker kind. Orange marmalade, pepper corns, chili, horseradish. It's a bit dry, brings the mind back to the dark chocolate again.

Finish (22/25): The dark chocolate is the main player in the finish as well. Honorable guest appearances by hard candy with a distinct licorice taste, and an intriguing peppery after-burn. Needless to say, the finish is warm, full and long!

Balance (23/25): An absolute delight of a whisky. The fact that this is a blend did not even begin to cross my mind during the tasting. This is a very well crafted whisky. I wish I had a bottle of this stuff, right here - right now.

Score (90/100)

Sláinte! - Thomas