Woah! 3-yr-old Adnams Tally Ho Reserve
Posted: Thu Sep 24, 2015 4:56 am
2012 Adnams Tally Ho Reserve
AROMA 8/10, APPEARANCE 4/5, TASTE 9/10, PALATE 4/5, OVERALL 19/20 = 4.4 out 5
11.2oz longneck brown bottle into a snifter goblet, 2012 vintage, at 3 years old this is possibly at its peak. It poured an opaque dark brown colour, reddish when held to the light, beige foam, thin but persistent layer of spritzy little bubbles, swirling would kick-up a new head each time, some fine lace. Beautiful example of lengthy bottle-conditioning. Mild but exquisite aromas of sweet cereal grains, challah bread, toast, flowery/earthy hops blending with alcoholic vapors to form a pleasant perfume. Bolder flavours: dextrine-y malt sweetness, rich melanoidins, caramel, toffee, molasses, cacao nibs, breakfast coffee, raisins, tart cherries, black plums, blackberries, raspberries, currants, raisins, nuts. Like Russian Brown Bread or a brandy-soaked Trappist fruitcake. Port wine tannins. Medium body (more highly-attenuated than you’d expect, thanks to the inimitable dual-strain yeast), low carbonation, well-rounded mouthfeel. Some residual sweetness but not sticky. Warming alcohol but no hot fusels. Crazy complex aftertaste. Profoundly delicious, a rare masterpiece. Barkeep, another please!
