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| Hello, that is one in all our (virtually) day by day tastings. Santé! |
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December 4, 2021
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Previous Unpublished Session
A Bottomless Pit Half 2
(Or Dante’s Inferno?) |
| Properly, we’ll see, if we ever encounter extra elegant marcs de Bourgogne, that’ll quite be Tintoretto’s Paradise… We began it with an Alsatian gin final time, let’s kick this off with one other gin. Properly, with a ‘gin liqueur’; in reality I did not even know that existed… |
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Elderflower Gin Liqueur (18%, Bramley & Gage, UK, +/-2020) 
Shopping The Whisky Trade’s web site whereas there’s nothing on TV could show harmful. What’s a little bit reassuring is that ‘London’ warns you, that is “divine on pancakes”, a wording that, I suppose, has received nothing to do with the late performer (RIP Divine). Color: white wine. Nostril: I am a sucker for elderflowers, we have a tendency so as to add some elderflower liqueur to champagne or crémant right here in France. It could additionally make marvellous spritzes. Pretty nostril. Mouth: a tad wobblier, much less straight to the purpose, with some oddish bitter tones (unripe gooseberries) and certainly touches of ginger tonic, however I am making an attempt this at room temperature whereas I suppose it is quite meant to be drunk on crushed ice. End: medium, sugary, quite on rhubarb this time. Feedback: the rest shall be slurped on ice cream. I discover this beautiful good.
SGP:630 – 78 factors |
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Eau-de-Vie de Sureau (40%, G. Miclo, France, +/-2015)
Sureau, that is elderberries and this shall be a tribute to Monty Python. Typically, they let the berries macerate in impartial alcohol (apple) after which redistill that. This stems from Alsace, the place we might simply distil something, even troubles. Having stated that, I’ve by no means distilled sureau myself. Hope they will not have added any sugar to this, which might really feel instantly… Color: white. Nostril: it is a barely soiled spirit, within the fashion of some baijius, with one thing a little bit rancid and clearly fermentary, plus various earth and humus. Notes of stewed cabbage, turnips and celeriac too, however that is not a flaw, it is ‘a mode’. Mouth: a little bit scorching, grassy, natural, and just about on roots and greens certainly. Turnips, parsnips, fermenting hay… Properly, it is a wee problem certainly however you can chill it and drink with choucroute. To be sincere, I don’t dislike this in any respect. End: quite lengthy, very grassy, fairly bitter and earthy. Notes of uncooked kirschwasser. Feedback: some form of Tobermory of eau-de-vie. Proper.
SGP:370 – 78 factors. |
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Sure please? You say extra elderberry?…
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Sureau Noir (45%, Nusbaumer, France, +/-2015) 
Black elderberry, did not know that existed both. This Alsatian kitten was first macerated earlier than distillation, identical to the Miclo. It has been matured in metal tanks for a couple of years previous to bottling, as solely barbarians or monetary controllers would bottle eau-de-vie proper after it was distilled. N.e.v.e.r try this. Color: white. Nostril: related, naturally, however I am discovering extra citrus quite than greens on this one, which might make it extra akin to some good Dutch genever. Fairly contemporary, with as soon as once more, wee echoes of baijiu. Mouth: I like this! As soon as once more, we’re near some pretty genever/genièvre/jenever no matter, with a wee soapy contact as all the time but in addition some cute notes of grapefruits and sliced pickled ginger. Even a little bit sake, I say you carry the sushi. End: lengthy, earthier. Feedback: this one would love ice and make for a really refreshing drink as a highball. Ooh my head…
SGP:271 – 82 factors. |
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Oh wait, we have additionally discovered a ‘Quince Gin Liqueur’ by these high-quality people at Bramley & Gage… I cherish and worship quince.
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Quince Gin Liqueur (18%, Bramley & Gage, UK, +/-2020) 
I’ve certainly distilled quince, twice. And virtually made the nonetheless implode as a result of I hadn’t wetted the mash sufficient. Quince could be very difficult, it sticks to the copper and in the event you warmth it up an excessive amount of, it might suck your pot in. Properly, you see what I imply. Color: why is it brown like this? Nostril: there are two important sorts of quinces and while you make eau-de-vie, you attempt to collect fifty p.c ‘apple’ and fifty p.c ‘pear’, to stability the style. On this case, they appear to have used the sweeter one, which is the kind that you simply’d use to make jellies and fruit pastes. That barely saturates the nostril, which is extraordinarily fragrant and tends to go in direction of humorous spices. Juniper? Caraway? Mouth: a little bit an excessive amount of for me however the quinces are loud and clear. I am certain it will be ten instances nicer over crushed ice. End: medium, bitter and pearish. Fermenting figs. Feedback: the elderflower gin was clearer and cleaner, whereas it is a tad extra unsure. However then once more, with ice… we would drink an excessive amount of of it.
SGP:540 – 75 factors. |
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I am certain you see me coming…
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Eau-de-Vie de Coing (40%, G. Miclo, France, +/-2015)
Coing is quince. That is Alsatian too. Color: white. Nostril: a little bit scorching and a tad unprecise at first however unfolds nicely. Extra notes of fermenting figs, dates, even bananas, even elderflowers (not kidding), plus quite plenty of honeysuckle. Is not it humorous that when once more, I might discover a little bit moutai? However, it is isn’t fairly a ‘loud and clear’ quince eau-de-vie however I quite prefer it. Mouth: fairly good on the palate, quite mushy, with quite extra quince, only a contact of sweet sugar which will have been added in some unspecified time in the future. I imply, after distillation. End: medium, just about on the fruit. The aftertaste is a little bit tough and too grassy, although. Feedback: not the clearest quince I’ve ever tasted, nevertheless it’s not dangerous in any respect. Once more, quince is tough.
SGP:440 – 78 factors. |
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Eau-de-Vie de Coing (43%, René de Miscault, France, +/-2015) 
Because it says on the label, this one too was obtained by maceration, identical to the Miclo (I suppose). However actual quince should be integrally fermented IMHO. BTW, this one might be probably not Alsatian. Color: white. Nostril: nope. Dried coconut and eggplants in my quince? Maybe not… Having stated that, it is a little shocking as I’ve had some fairly eaux-de-vie by René de Miscault previously. Mouth: candy, whereas you wouldn’t recognise quince. Some form of litchi liqueur, maybe, plum wine… Odd raisins… Nope. End: medium, soiled, nope. Burnt aftertaste – now then once more; quince typically burns. Feedback: non, nan, nein, no!
SGP:260 – 20 factors.
(Please do not forget that with fruits, seasons and harvest fluctuate quite a bit!) |
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Time to fly to a different area (I are likely to favor trains however French trains are all the time on strike)…
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Eau de Vie de Gentiane (45%, Distillerie des Aravis, France, +/-2016) 
Gentian is one in all my favorite plant/root/liqueur/cordial/eau-de-vie. What’s extra, I received this wee one from Emmanuel Renaut, who runs the *** restaurant Le Flocon de Sel in Megève. Fabulous delicacies, fabulous place, nice individuals, deep ardour for herbs and… roots. Oh and chartreuse, they have an unimaginable assortment. So, subsequent time you are within the French Alpes… Color: white. Nostril: Jesus Mary and Joseph! That is pure, crystalline, uncluttered and completely distilled gentian. In reality, you are nosing the foundation. If I keep in mind nicely, I had written a brief article about this one for Whisky Magazine France some time again. Oh and sure, they distil the roots, not the flowers! Mouth: ite missa est, high two gentian along with Marcel Michel’s within the Doubs. Completely pure whereas that is precisely what distillers are on the lookout for, the purest expression of the uncooked supplies. You are proper, precisely the other of malt whisky. End: quite lengthy, a wee tad scorching maybe, I might say Marcel Michel has received the sting nevertheless it all will depend on the batches, naturally. Feedback: Distillerie des Aravis are positioned in La Clusaz, excellent place for snowboarding (simply saying)…
SGP:371 – 90 factors. |
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Seems to be like we have made good progress. Let’s go on…
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Calvados Pays d’Auge 3 yo 2013-2014/2018 (55.5%, 30&40, Ferme des Parquets, France 225 bottles)
A single cask of younger Pays d’Auge, 2013 being once they harvested the fruits, and 2014 once they distilled the entire shebang.. Calvados is among the spirits I ought to actually work on, I actually really feel disgrace and am afraid I do know extra about pisco. Which, as a Frenchman, takes the biscuit. Color: white wine. Nostril: boy is that this scorching and uncooked! Now it reeks of nice artisanal cider, having stated that. I suppose water is necessary… With water: actually uncooked, extraordinarily rustic, grassy… nevertheless it does develop on you, supplied you want apples and cider. Mouth (neat): pfew, that is actually scorching, tough, powerful and grassy. Makes Ardbeg style like Diplomatico by comparability. With water: no, there, we tamed it, we’re rally extra on apples, grasses, and actually plenty of cider. End: lengthy and ultra-grassy. Feedback: some associates are dying for these powerful Calvas. I am not fairly there but, however I would be pleased to be taught and practice my palate (till the brand new Brora comes out, ha-ha).
SGP:271 – 80 factors. |
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Good, time for some weirdos, in any case that is purported to be enjoyable… No wait, we had been having one other attention-grabbing Pays d’Auge within the packing containers…
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Calvados du Pays d’Auge 1898 (40%, Adrien Camut, Domaine de Semainville, +/-1970?)
Yep, 116 years earlier, a complete completely different world, however cautious with these outdated bottles, they’re very inspirational, however even with the rarest and most wonderful outdated spirits, the reality lies in your tulip. I imply in your tulip glass. Having stated that, the home Camut has received the best fame, even at the moment. Color: mahogany. Nostril: no, that is flabbergastingly sensible, contemporary, advanced, polished, in the identical class as that of, say Bally 1929, Macallan 1938, or the oldest A.E. D’Or. Superb ripe plums, collector figs (what?), cigars, chocolate, it is simply that it will are likely to lose a little bit of steam and turn into a tad too chocolaty. By the best way, no apples and no pears that I might discover, it is all been digested and that is extra proof that very outdated spirits do converge, whichever the uncooked supplies. Grains, grapes, apples, sugarcane… Mouth: rum, I might have stated. It is stored plenty of pressure at 40% vol., and which will have been the apples. Toffee, bouillons, a contact of smoke, tar, liquorice, mushrooms, black tea, marmalade, menthol, contact of camphor, espresso, tobacco… Between us, this might have been outdated Macallan (however they might have replicated it then, he-he). End: that is the place the apples would come out, in addition to a couple of pears, most likely. That is unimaginable, the place have they been hiding for therefore lengthy? All that will lead us to what’s one in all outdated Mac’s staple flavours: barely burnt tarte tatin! Feedback: superb. I do know I ought to have quite gathered a couple of outdated Calvas and achieved a correct, coherent session, however days have solely 7 hours, have they not? Extraordinary outdated Pays d’Auge by Camut. Think about, 1898, even Keith Richards wasn’t born.
SGP:462 – 92 factors. |
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A final one for enjoyable. Keep in mind, these classes are supposed to be enjoyable…
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Waqar (40%, OB, Pisco, Chile, +/-2012)
Good, Chilean Pisco, why not. This stems from the Tulahuén Valley and was completely distilled from Muscat wine. However muscat could get heady and cloying, let’s watch out… Color: white. Nostril: we’re nosing massive white muscat grapes, those that seem like rugby balls. But it surely remained quite contemporary, fairly pure, and well-delimited. That is certainly muscat, with only a smidgen of lemon zest. Mouth: we distil muscat too, however quite use the crushed grapes (marc) than wine. I truly distilled ‘high-quality de muscat grains nobles’ sooner or later and got here up with… cheapo fragrance. By no means once more, it wasn’t well worth the problem. Anyway, that is good, contemporary, very muscaty certainly, and maybe a little bit an excessive amount of on rose essence and preserved litchi? Extra gewurztraminer than muscat? End: medium, contemporary, candy. A tad too candy. Feedback: no, this goes down nicely, it is only a tad an excessive amount of, too candy, which makes it a notch vulgar… However then once more, ice would assist, I am certain.
SGP:730 – 78 factors. |
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In the future, we’d solely do these sorts of freewheeling classes, with simply any sorts of spirits, from early XIXth century cognac to white pisco all through Bunnahabhain NAS, Clynelish three-years-and-one day outdated and Foursquare ex-Gewurz. And why not? Yeah give me an excellent cause why not.
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