NV Quinta das Bágeiras Aguardente Vinica Velha

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  4/22/2024 - forceberry wrote:

  An oak-aged aguardente made predominantly with early-harvested Baga, blended with the leesy decanted portions of white varieties that didn't make into barrel. Distilled in an old Charentais alembic still. Aged in new 50, 100 and 550-liter oak barrels that are kept in the warm, humid attic level of the winery. Originally this was a blend of spirits averaging 10 years in age, but since the winery has retained a bit more of their spirits than what they bottle annually, the average age of the spirits has crept up a little and today the average years is a few years above the original 10 years. Bottled at the strength of 40,5% alcohol.
  
  Deep, luminous nutty-brown or pale coppery color. The nose feels concentrated and quite sweet with layered aromas of caramel, some butterscotch, light fragrant notes of arrack, a little bit of vanilla and other baking spices, a floral hint of wild honey and a touch of toasty wood. The spirit feels quite broad, somewhat warm and rather mellow on the palate with a dry and spicy yet not particularly robust overall feel. Although there is no noticeable sweetness, the rich, concentrated flavors give an illusion of sweetness, exhibiting notes of caramel and dried apricot, some savory woody tones, a little bit of butterscotch, light vanilla nuances, a hint of arrack and a touch of bitter medicinal spices. The mouthfeel is very slightly oily, but the spirit feels relatively light on its feet. The finish is long, warm and dry with a complex aftertaste of caramel, some burnt sugar bitterness, a little bit of vanilla, light honeyed nuances, a hint of dried apricot and a woody touch of savory oak spice.
  
  An attractive, elegant and tasty aguardente. Despite being fully dry, there is enough concentration and evolved, sweet-toned flavors that the spirit gives a wonderful sense of illusion - without the lack of weight and that slightly syrupy mouthfeel that comes with higher levels of residual sugar. A very clean, characterful and thoroughly enjoyable effort. Highly recommended. An excellent purchase at 25€ for a half-liter bottle.

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