Community Tasting Note

• Xavier Auerbach wrote: 91 points

  August 17, 2018 - A private dinner with friends (at home): A fascinating old bottle of Bénédictine, most likely from the 1940’s, recently acquired at auction. Driven cork, loads of sediment (beeswings). Decanted. With so much alcohol (43% ABV) and sugar present, it is not surprising that this has survived its 70-odd years in bottle very well. Pale golden colour, looks beautiful in the decanter; intensely herbal nose, pungent, with a hint of sweetness; sweet and concentrated palate, rich and soothing, lively and without any signs of decay; hot and fiery finish, very good length. Hardly a refined drink, but the power more than makes up for that.

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1 Comment

• Homer Holland commented:

  11/13/18, 2:04 AM - Very nice Xavier !
  How about when you compare this 1940's bottle A-B with a current bottle (at 40%) ?
  I am curious.
  Will you give a current bottle also such a high score ?
  About 8 years ago I compared a than current bottle of Grand Marnier (the standard edition) with an about 25 years old bottle from the cellar of my father and to my surprise no real difference.
  How well done by their master blenders (and tasting panels).

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