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In 2006, Sogevinus purchased Kopke, a brand with a history in the Douro that dates back to 1638. In recent decades, as part of the Barros Almeida group, Kopke had maintained a presence in the market with a range of Colheita Ports, but the quality was often spotty. This is, by far, the most ethereal wine I have tasted from Kopke, a Port that drives an emotional response as its flavors explode with the precision of fireworks. Everyone on the panel commented on the energy in this wine, its combination of freshness and refinement that makes it feel dynamic. One moment the rich scents of orange blossoms, orange zest and darker notes of schist tannins come together in a luxurious texture. The next moment, that sensual pleasure is a memory of richness, without any loss of satisfaction.

Bowmore’s legendary No. 1 Vaults have produced some of the most iconic old Islay single malts ever bottled, and this 1965 release sits squarely in that rarified company. The next entry in Bowmore’s 50 Year Old Vaults Series, following the 1964 and 1966 releases, this 52 year old single malt represents more than 230 years of accumulated maturation expertise from the oldest maturation warehouse in Scotland. Bowmore’s greatest old whiskies are famous for an almost impossible balance: tropical and orchard fruit, polished antique richness, coastal depth, and that unmistakably elegant thread of smoke that never overwhelms the spirit. Here the house style is lifted into the realm of legend. The color is shimmering amber, with a nose of fragrant fruits, sweet beeswax, and dark chocolate. The palate moves through burnt heather, jasmine, and dried fruit before a refined finish of spring flowers and apricot. Just 232 individually numbered bottles were released worldwide, with allocations spread across key markets over several years. For collectors of historic Islay whisky, Bowmore 1965 is not simply an old bottle. It is a benchmark from one of Scotland’s most consequential distilleries, drawn from the era that made Bowmore’s reputation nearly mythic.