Fratelli Giannandrea 1885 Barricata Stravecchia

Nose: Smells of raisins, apricots, peaches, beeswax, honey, and tropical fruit. As it sits, brown sugar, red fruits, and vanilla emerge alongside a potent woody aroma. The empty glass is filled with these distinct woody notes. Taste: An initial fruity and spicy sensation, reminiscent of freshly baked fruit cookies. Dried fruits, cinnamon, nutmeg, and honey develop, with no noticeable alcohol presence. The texture is rich, almost oily, and the overall profile is like a blend of very dry sherry and slivovitz. End: Medium to long. Dry and bursting with spicy fruit. The lingering taste is complex and oily. I'm unsure what the 1885 signifies, but it's not the age. This was aged in French and Slovenian oak barrels; that's the extent of the information I found. I don't believe it's particularly old, yet the wood notes are very prominent, and it tastes unlike unaged grappa. I would not purchase it again. UPDATE - February 18, 2020 I finished this bottle last night after struggling with it for several months, and I'm changing my initial assessment. When first opened, it had an impressive woody aroma that has since become unpleasant, more like the scent of cod-liver oil. I suspect this originates from the un-toasted Eastern European oak casks. Two other grappa bottles I have open do not exhibit this intrusive fishy smell. "Average": 75/100 (2.5 stars) Original rating "Above Average": 83/100 (3 stars)

Another gift from across the sea. It has been a very long time since I last tried grappa, perhaps nearly 20 years ago when we purchased a bottle of cheap and unpleasant stuff, much like its name suggested! This is entirely different. There's no harshness to this one, and it goes down very smoothly. Strangely, though, I'm detecting an overpowering smell and taste of kippers, which is a first. I suspect, similar to how some people can taste a hormone in pork that others cannot, that this is a matter of individual perception, as another reviewer made no mention of it. Perhaps it's a side effect of drinking a lot of mezcal before moving on to grappa! I won't rate this one as I'm uncertain how to, to be honest, but it was a very interesting experience! Thanks to the person who shared it.