Monymusk 1995 EMB - #135 Warren Khong - 67%
Photo taken somewhere in Stuttgart
Beside his dedication to high quality spirits we also share the true love for artisanal and contemporary art with Luca Gargano, who often supports (local) artists by providing them a stage. The artworks on Velier's labels are always inspiring and absolutely gorgeous. W. Khong by the way is also the artist behind the famous Artist Series of La Maison Du Whisky. This cask was allowed to mature 24 years in the Tropes, which is a very rare pleasure.
Nose
In spiritus sancti, where shall we start? Thick and heavy clouds of liquorice, nuts and sweet exotic fruits occupy the nose. Within, there are fermented bananas, mangos, raspberries and old molasses, fresh almonds, raisins and plums. Those flavours are held by a strong freshness of mint leaves, wet paint, adhesives and hints of nail polish, plus a pronounced fatness of melted coconut butter. After a while a slight earthiness of wet leaves arises. Those molecules are well balanced together and very rich. With water: scene change from the Tropes to a perfumery, serving lavender oil and lilac, with even more coconut butter. It doesn't stop developping!
Palate
Bathe in the tropical rain! With the first sip the abovementioned clouds offload tons of bittersweet flavours like liquorice, italian espresso, dark chocolate, tamarind jam, cough syrup, dried mangos and mint oil on your palate. Once there, it runs down astonishingly smooth and oily. There is no sharpness at all, even with those unbelievable 67%. The bouquet was sweeter than the palate.
With water: It doesn't loose power, just becomes a bit rounder and sweeter, with some roasted caramel drops.
Finish
A matter of hours, leaving behind a heavy cocoa bitterness and an idea of the fresh feeling after having brushed your teeth. The bitterness of the oak is maybe a shade too much, yet far away from an overkill.
Rating
One word: Masterpiece. A heavy and pathetic tropical symphony from Beethoven that picks up crecendo when adding some drops of water, having it's finale on the nose and mezzoforte in the finish. The nose only would get 94 points, but considering the finish let's settle on 93 points.
