Financial literacy is not my strong point
I never knew that!
I just sourced and bought a 21 year old Parliament yesterday (2021 so it's apparently 26 years old). That was R2600. I really want to have a higher strength Glendronach but that price is a little bit too high. I'd rather take that money and put it toward the 1991, 30 year old release coming this/next month.
I'll keep an eye out for the Paul John. It's a name I've been wanting to try but was initially put off due to some reviews out there. Looking back, they seemingly are more "Indian isn't whisky" snobbery.
I opened the Adelphi 25yo Armagnac last night. It's clearly better than most cognac I've tried but I'm still leaning toward local brandy as being my favourite. That "grapey influence" you mentioned is really strong here so I think it will need to air a bit to get all of the other flavours. I'm far from patriotic but we do it better. I just wish KWV released higher ABVs because their 12 year olds released in 2012 and 2015 were beauties.
Where does he go from here?
I can see him "reviving" a distillery but I can also see him going the Jim McEwan route and just retiring. He is an exceptional craftsman, no doubt, but how well known is he in the world? That's a genuine question, btw, not a dig at all.