The nose had perfumed tropical fruits (peach, raisins, lemon bonbons, pineapple, passion-fruit) and polished wood. The palate combined those fruits (orange, papaya, banana) with toffee donut sweetness and some wood tannins; the finish found curry, wasabi and chili. The reduced nose detected cinnamon buns, Peshwari naan, cigarette packets and a Spanish bodega wine note. In reduction, the palate was now full of pleasant intrigue, any previous tensions were completely reconciled – exotic fruits and Eastern spice, sherbet straws and chocolate raisins – all wonderfully integrated – an eminently enjoyable dram. After fourteen years in ex-bourbon wood, we transferred this to a second-fill Sauternes hogshead.