Royal Salute 21 years The Emerald Flagon

Incredibly complex, undoubtedly the finest whiskey I've ever tried. A colleague brought me to his birthday celebration at his home and I happened to see this in his living room. He had no clue it was such a pricey and remarkable spirit. His father passed it down to his grandfather, who then left him the apartment. He chose to open it to mark his birthday. Everyone present received a glass, and we went through the entire whiskey drinking ceremony. My initial impression was the strikingly unusual aroma of cinnamon and pear. Not apple, perhaps green apple, but pear was very prominent. The scent also carried notes of licorice and hazelnut, both of which were very noticeable on the palate. The conclusion was quite anise-forward and rather peppery. Thank you, a friend, that was truly magnificent. We were sampling this incredible Royal Salute alongside Chivas 12 and Dimple, making for a fantastic tasting session comparing the three.