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.

-JS