1978 Adelphi Glenlivet 29 Year Old Cask Strength Single Malt Scotch Whisky (700ml)

The grand-daddy of this year's collection was drawn from an American oak hogshead (cask 13503). This is one of only 64 bottles remaining from the Archives. 52.1% Alc./Vol.

Notes from Adelphi... glorious polished mahogany hue. A fresh nose, with Speyside pear-drops. Marshmallows behind and mellow soft fruits, brown apples, desiccated coconut and marzipan. Eve’s pudding? Surprisingly lively for its age at natural strength, although more wood-notes emerge when water is added: varnished wood, the inside of an old desk drawer. After a while the fruitiness returns in the form of apple-flavoured Chewits. ‘A warm summer’s day among whin bushes’. The taste is much sweeter than the nose suggests, with tablet (Strathavon Toffee), grated coconut and boat varnish, but also fresh and tingling. Mellow but vibrant.