Colour: Light gold.
Nose: We clearly have a light-bodied classic WIRD pattern, that’s sweet and accessible, slightly too much. I have black olives, honey, brown sugar, typical WIRD smoke, vanilla, dried apricots, oak wood, mangoes and cake dough. It could’ve been more complex but I love the Rockley profile.
Mouth: This is a bit watery and it slightly lacks of body, this one has probably been reduced. The mouth is also more bitterish than the nose but it’s far from killing it. We have honey, vanilla cream, dark smoke, oak wood, black olives, mineral notes, almonds, marzipan, mangoes, cocoa and dried fruits.
Finish: Mid-long, bitter and warm. Burnt wood, burnt caramel, vanilla, mint, cocoa and olive oil.

I would’ve taste it with less reduction, this is slightly too light-bodied and bitterish but honestly it will do the job as a daily sipper for the calm evenings.

Score: 85

Colour: Light gold.
Nose: That’s very expressive with not any alcohol presence. Overripe bananas, pineapples, mangoes, papayas, candied lemons, esters, glue, polish, marzipan, fresh paint, iodized notes, anchovies, salted black olives, acidulous candies and some spicy notes. It’s very well balanced with lot of freshness, great!
Mouth: Pleasant oily and thick texture. The exotic fruits are literally exploding in mouth with some astringence. Caramelized pineapples, bananas, green olives, mangoes, glue, passion fruits, black olives, smoked herrings, iodized notes, butter buns, marzipan, brown sugar, fuel, cake dough, chilies and some acidulous notes close to vinegar. This is refined and evolutive, less extreme than the ’89 release.
Finish: Very long (surprising?). Smoke, eucalyptus, burnt wood, black olives, green bananas, brine, dried apricots and some sugary notes.

A very nice ’90 Hampden, complete and refined that remember me The Rum Cask Hampden 30yo even if I couldn’t face them in two glasses. Very nice selection!

Score: 93

Colour: A nice gold.
Nose: That’s a very complex nose with lot of depth. We clearly recognize the typical Versailles style. Pencil dominates the nose, then we have almonds, eucalyptus freshness, lemon peels, vegetal notes, wood (not too much after 35yo), liquorice stick, nutmeg, pears, apples and some black fruits.
Mouth: Nice oily texture, that’s sweet and concentrated in the same time. Pencil, brown sugar, liquorice stick, wood, tannins, white pepper, pears, blackberries, mineral notes, vanilla, dried fruits and some citrus notes.
The aromas are melted and the balance between bitterness and sweetness is superb, that’s as complex as the nose.
Finish: Long and refined. Burnt wood, toasted bread, vanilla, blackberries, peppermint, pencil and raspberries.

This gentleman’s aura is impressive. Initially that’s not my favourite Guyana style but I took lot of pleasure tasting this one. Probably my favorite of the « Pencils » Versailles to date, kudos!

Score: 92