Cask No. 9.299

The nose revealed a sappy sweetness with suggestions of aged calvados, then beautiful medicinal qualities such as lapsang souchong tea, and camphor and menthol balm. Beyond that we also noted ginger wine, aged honeyed whisky liqueur and fruit salad juices. Quite stunning, we all agreed. Water brought out wonderfully aromatic touches of dried flowers, clay, earthiness and rolling tobacco. The palate when neat was awash with honey, and green and exotic fruits, all supported by a superbly waxy texture and a tang of minerality. Reduction maintained the waxy texture but bought cohesion and softness, along with crystallised gooseberry, cedar wood and more relentlessly gorgeous honey.