Hirsch Selection 25 Year Rye

A dram was served to me roughly three years back at an eatery on the outskirts of Stockholm. Neither the bartender nor I were aware it was an uncommon and noteworthy whiskey. A single serving was about 10€. Smell: pepper, burnt sugar, cloves, aged oak, roasted beans. Taste: dense caramelized sugar, dark syrup, prunes, ancient timber. Aftertaste: peppery, almond-like, sugary, cocoa, java, hide. Excellent bourbon, the most mature I have ever had.

The aromas are heavy on spice and caramel. The flavors are similar to the nose, with the addition of some pumpernickel and a great balance between sweet, bitter, and just the right amount of burn. I acquired the bottle at least seven years ago and just opened it. That was a mistake because the cork had degraded. It was still sealed, but some of the cork ended up in the liquid. I need plenty of roughage anyway.