France India Taiwan Korea Israel


June 20, 2023

	Another world session (France India Taiwan Korea Israel)
	Starting from France again… (saving petrol and kerosene) …

Rozelieures 3 yo 2019/2023 (60.3%, Whisky Is The Limit, France, Jurançon barrique, cask #L485)

Jurançon is an amazing white wine from the South-West of France, either very dry or sweet – they've used sweet here. It's mainly made out of manseng grapes (grand and petit). Colour: full gold. Nose: imagine some apricot tarte covered with cinnamon and a little curry. Not much else but that should be the very high strength. With water: indeed, we're finding clementines now, honeysuckle, mullein, certainly elderflower (St.-Germain), ginseng, yuzu, borage, atsina cress (anise)… But then again, we love Jurançon and compadre white Irouléguy. Mouth (neat): tight, citrusy (as the wines are, even the sweet ones) and with once again, some curry, cinnamon and turmeric. I don't think you should drink this naked. With water: absolutely, water is mandatory. Liquorice wood, zests, edible flowers of all kinds, small citrus, touch of passion fruit, and some greenish tannins playing with your lips. Finish: long, more or less on spicy citrus. That atsina cress again in the aftertaste. It's a wonderful little herb that really tastes like some fresher aniseed. Comments: let's say it, I'm not really a fan of the idea, but I'm rather a fan of the end result. Much better than the other way 'round, I suppose.
SGP:661 - 86 points.

Let's move East this time…

Indri 'Trini - The Threewood' (46%, OB, India, 2022)

A first at WF Towers, a new Indian single malt, made by sugar makers 'Piccadily Agro Industries Limited' in Haryana, just south of New Delhi. We might have some Amrut too, we've got quite a few new ones to try. Anyway… Ah yes, they've used three woods like anyone else, namely bourbon, French wine and PX. But what is French wine? Colour: gold. Nose: you cannot escape mangos in most Indian malts (including Solan No.1!) and this one's full of mangos, vanilla, apricots, oranges, acacia blossom, honeysuckle… It is very seductive. Mouth: but yes it's very good. More tropical fruits, mangos 'of course', passion fruits, guavas, a little mint (leaves), vanilla, soft spices (mild masala), plus apple peel, lemongrass… Seriously, let's be fair, this is very good, no question. Finish: long, a notch spicier, otherwise all on citrus and mangos. Comments: to be honest, I would have said Amrut. Or to be even more honest, Bushmills malt. Honestly.
SGP:751 - 86 points.

Amrut 'Fusion XI' (50%, OB, India, limited edition, 970 decanters, 2023)

A very funny porcelain decanter that reminds us of Glenfiddich's famous Wedgewood one. I suppose that's the colour. This peaty Fusion has been matured in bourbon and Port, and it is a multi-age self-blend. Colour: deep gold. Nose: it is highly unusual, with some patchouli, gunpowder, new tyres, coriander leaves, Barbour grease, new rubber bands, eucalyptus, hashish and bananas and mangos in the background. With water: thuja wood and incense, more rubber, sandalwood, various herbal teas… Mouth (neat): potent, rather leafy and rubbery (good rubber) at first, then on citrus, mint, green bananas and guavas. Smoked guavas, touch of Parma ham. With just a drop of water: grapefruits leading the pack now. Finish: rather long, a little leafier, on grass smoke, lime and eucalyptus. A glass of champagne 'zero' in the aftertaste. Really! Comments: superb Amrut. I still remember when I first stumbled upon the first Amrut in Paris, circa 2000. Or was it 2001? 2002? They've kept blowing us away since back then.
SGP:664 - 89 points.

Maybe to Taiwan? What do you say? We'll soon unload a lot of tasting notes for Kavalan, but in the meantime, let's have some Omar by Nantou…

Nantou Omar 2015/2022 (58.7%, OB, Taiwan, virgin oak, cask #01150382, 199 bottles)

Nantou is owned by the Taiwanese state. We've already tried some superb Omars by Nantou, for example the Keeper Richard's Choice II (WF 90). Keeper to Keeper. As for the monkey on the label here, no ideas who that could be, I'll have to ask. It can't be Hanuman, can it? Oh and it seems that there's also an NFT. Colour: deep rich gold. Nose: fudge, madeleine, biscuits, scones, white chocolate, nougat, halva… You get the picture I'm sure. With water: picture-perfect vanilla-ed and nougaty development. Mouth (neat): bourbon from Taiwan. Vanilla, corn syrup, varnish, bitter oak spices… Water should help big time, it's even deeply needed. With water: still Taiwanese bourbon of some sort, with just ripe papayas pushing through. Sweet spices too. Finish: medium, with more of the same, bananas, vanilla, sweet oak, fruit skins and peel… Comments: totally perfect but possibly a notch too perfect, perhaps lacking a little more… emotion? You name it.
SGP:551 - 85 points.

Last one, further North-East, playing it safe…

Kimchangsoo 'The Private Cask' (50.5%, OB, Korea, 276 bottles, 2023)

I think we've already told you about all the good we were thinking of the tiny Kimchangsoo Distillery. The first casks have been stupendous, this very one matured in a recharred Chardonnay cask, possibly an ex-Montrachet pièce from Domaine Leflaive (I'm joking here). Colour: full gold. Nose: you cannot not think of some kind of peated Clynelish. I'm not saying Brora, of course not. Waxy kumquats and bergamots, pollen, Gudang Garang cigarettes (Kretek), mead, indeed some marc de Bourgogne (not destemmed!) and then some kind of Laphroaigness, really. Coal tar, dried kelp, embrocations, iodine. With water: bingo, old copper coins, old kettle, garage, Pu-ehr tea, perhaps umeshu… It's getting tertiary, already. Mouth (neat): ueber-top spicy and smoky arrival, feeling stronger than 50.5%, with dried bananas, beeswax, banana skin, eucalyptus, cough lozenges, green tar… And indeed Kretek cigarettes (clove and tobacco). Yes, I know Kretek have nothing to do with South Korea, but I've smoked my share when I was young (yeah, not too long ago). With water: absolutely exceptional given the young age. Leathers, old spices, paprika, bay leaves, caramel and caraway (alliteration alert!)… It's even getting better and better, only the wood is starting to become a little strong and spicy. Otherwise we would have reached Manzanillaness. Finish: long, perfectly spicy, with some smoky rubber and some clove. The aftertaste might be a little bitter, but what the hell. Comments: love this, really love this.
SGP:473 - 89 points.

I think we have room for a quick M&H. I know, no logic whatsoever…

Milk & Honey 2019/2022 (59.1%, OB for The Duchess, Israel, ex-Caroni cask, cask #2019-1907)

So some secret love between Israel and Trinidad & Tobago. Contrarily to what many lazy minds believe, this is becoming a better world; remember it's always true if you believe it (Costanza's law). Colour: straw. Nose: roots, fresh woods, turnips, acacia wood, gentian, spent engine oil, black soap… Boy is this dry! With water: sameish, with some fresh butter, ink, tar, celeriac, artichoke, linoleum… Boy does this remain dry! Mouth (neat): peat and benzine, lime, gherkins, heavy tar… We've known Port Ellens that used to be a bit like this, seriously. With water: and there, lemons (hurray), grapefruits (hurray), eggplants (hurray – hold on…) Nah it's still dry but the tar is perfect. Please add any waters parsimoniously. Finish: very long, salty, peaty, with good tight lemon and a drop of engine oil. A little drying then (strong green tea). Comments: it's all happened on the palate, which is not that common in my book. Don't nose it, just drink it. Almost no sweetness at all, we'll all get a break as we say in France.
SGP:173 - 85 points.