On to door number 21 in the Boutique-y Advent calendar and some rarely seen 50 year old grain – in the form of Boutique-y’s yet to be released Blended Grain No.1 50 year old Batch 1. No specific information is given on which distilleries outputs are involved in this blend, but our label is adorned with a coconut laden tall ship and seagulls who’s bodies have been replaced with a wide variety of fruits. As you do. Let’s get stuck in…
Nose: Hugely cereal and laden with ton of varnish and glue – age clearly on display here. Cornflakes, Shreddies, porridge oats and toast provide us with a rich cereal lead heart – this is supported by juicy and overripe fruit, and in particular (as promised by the label) coconuts. Sour lemons provide an awakening lift to proceedings and there’s certainly some milk chocolate and biscuitiness (digestives) going on here as well. Water reduces the definition of the top notes, and heightens the toast and biscuit aromas. A delightful nose.
Taste: Oaty, toasty and a touch sour. Polished wood and paint thinners are joined by slightly sour wood – almost akin to an aged grappa. Sweetness is needed now and comes via honey, vanilla (of a deep and earthy kind) and buttery popcorn. Cereals and oats are present again and are now joined by some nuttiness. The addition of water brings out the nuts further, toasting them a touch.
Finish: Short to medium in length and offering some light pepperiness and sour citrus.
The nose on this one is splendid. Just splendid. The palate doesn’t quite live up to the introduction, slightly struggling to manage woody influence, sourness and the natural sweetness of the grains. There is however still a surprisingly amount of life left in this liquid considering its five decades of maturation. You don’t see many 50 year olds around, and when released in 2018 this is going to fly off the shelves. It’s certainly well worth your time and, I expect, will be reasonably priced too – keep your eyes open.