Taylor Fladgate 20-yr Old Tawny
It basically looks like a 20-yr old tawny, so nothing surprising there. It isn't as rich looking as some others, but it has that distinctive amber-red color in the glass. It turns slightly yellowish near the edge, but is pale right at the rim.
The nose is a bit spirity and has a little bit of tanned leather in it. I detect a vague spice, and since the glass is nearing empty I'm also getting that "dried tawny" smell of a glass that has been empty for a while.
In the mouth there is a heartiness that I would normally associate more with a Madeira than a tawny Port. The usual dried apricots are hiding in the background instead of being dominant. There's a hint of ... coffee liqueur? Possibly toffee or toasted caramel. The wood is notable, and there's just a bit of vanilla smoothing all of the other flavors together.
The finish is pleasant and neutral but fades very quickly, then re-appears after 20-30 seconds with grape skin and a faint presence of honey butter.
Given the glass I had in Portugal, this really isn't what I was expecting. But I like it! It doesn't seem as sweet as the other 20-yr olds that I drink, but it also doesn't seem dry. There are savory elements present that I don't normally detect in a tawny, but that makes it much more interesting.
I believe I'll have another glass.
:lick: