After 13 years in ex-bourbon wood, we transferred this into a 1st fill heavy toast, medium char hogshead. The nose first produced mineralic notes (flint, putty) before its core character of opulence appeared with amontillado sherry, herbal rye whisky, whole almonds and Moroccan trail mix. The palate took our imaginations to exotic destinations with coconut, pineapple and rum, dried mango and rose petal perfume.

The reduced nose found tropical fruits, honeysuckle, balsa wood, nutmeg and brandy snaps. The palate, with a drop of water, had a silky, syrupy mouthfeel; honey on buttered wholegrain toast and an entertaining finish of liquorice root and zingy spice.