Curvada de Velha (1970s)

Discovered an old, unopened bottle at my parents' home. Appearance: Deep copper color with legs that are quick and evenly spaced. Nose: Smells of dark plum skin with a tart, wine-like character. High-tannin oak and vanilla bean are present, along with a strong soy sauce/teriyaki aroma. Black pepper, dates, and dried figs are also detected. Taste: A dry, oaky finish follows a sweet initial taste, with abundant dark chocolate on the back palate. Red raisins, prunes, dates, and figs are prominent upfront. Notes of clove and cinnamon are strong. It evokes the sensation of a rich fruitcake drizzled generously with dark chocolate. This unexpected find is surprisingly excellent! It's a fantastic sipper and a remarkably complex Portuguese spirit, ideal as an after-dinner drink to be savored.