Cask No. 8.48

The initial nose was a pleasing mixture of dried cranberries, sloes, plum tart and cherry brandy with leather boots, liquorice, espresso and treacle sponge (a flamenco dancer’s coffee break?). We found more of the same on the palate (red grape fruit leather, cherry and ruby port) but this time the earthier notes were of dark chocolate, game sauce, carob and cheroots. Adding water made the nose seem darker and spicier, with gingerbread, clove, chilli chocolate, marzipan, molasses and sugary espresso dregs. The palate maintained its flavourful intensity, finding cinnamon pastries, roasted walnuts and brazils, prunes, sobrasada and wine-soaked oak.