Montrose 1979

Next we had a bottle of 1979 Montrose. This is a vintage that I have not encountered for four or five years. Displaying wide bricking on the rim, it has a slightly diffuse, leather and loamy bouquet, the fruit having faded a long time ago; a little rustic but attractive and charming. The palate holds together for the first hour or so with vestiges of red fruit and a distinctive iron note. The usual pastille-like finish is not present on this bottle, but I find it rather threadbare and losing its cohesion over the course of an hour. It is commendable for the vintage, but personally, I would drink it sooner rather than later. (Drink between 2021-2025)

Tasted at the Montrose vertical in London, previous encounters with the 1979 Montrose have been a rum experience. Like the 1978, however, this was better. It was picked between 29 September and 14 October after a rather cloudy month. Certainly it shows its age with wide bricking on the rim. The nose is leathery and rather dour, although I noticed a touch of mint developing in the glass among dusty tertiary aromas. The palate is medium-bodied without the same cohesion as the 1978. However, the bottle was undeniably fresh with red rather than black fruit, a fine seem of acidity and a simple, pastille-like finish. The 1979 is not going to get any better, so pop the cork sooner rather than later if you have any bottles. Tasted June 2016.