Bunnahabhain 1989 26 Year Cask Strength Collection (Signatory)

From bottle #58 of 428, casks 5794 & 5796. Nose: A bit distant, with floral and fruity scents (apple, pear, light citrus), sherry, and a touch of smoke. Palate: Starts with honeyed oak, sweet fruitiness mingling equally with oak tannins. It has a rich, well-integrated mouthfeel, featuring sweet nuts and a charcoal flavor. The texture is excellent, just slightly oily and creamy, yet with a hint of brightness. Finish: Extended, with caramel and a bit of tannin lingering until the end. This is a refined spirit in the twilight of its existence. If it had aged another year, it might have become dull and lifeless, but thankfully, it remains a robust dram. The palate is superb and the finish is long and elegant, though the nose is somewhat lacking. It’s a delightful spirit possessing that certain elusive quality of “maturity” that is recognizable upon tasting but defies precise definition. However, I wish I had experienced it five years prior when its character would have been more pronounced (and its price, no doubt, more reasonable). Tasted at The Oak Barrel on May 22, 2017. “Very Good”: 85/100 (4 stars)

It tastes better than it smells. Light peat. Enjoyable in the mouth.