Tastes

Crisp yellow gold, salty brine ladened honeycomb, a touch of iodine and heavily ripened pears round out the nose. Bright and crisp fruit drizzled with light honey; oak mid-palate with campfire smoke roaring quickly hanging on through the finish. Drinks lower than the proof. A couple drops of water draws out the fruitiness even further. A splendid peat and sherry expression.

The nose provides pepper and bread dough; golden raisin sweetness with sea salt and floral undertones. Initially eases into semi-dark fruitiness and sea salt followed by wave of ash smoke mid palate. Slight oak and almond note tail the smoke. A moderate mouthfeel, nothing overwhelming or particularly memorable. Finish is a bit peppery as smoke clears out. A couple drops of water cuts down on the peppery finish and is my preferred method. Overall, nice complexity for the price point but I think it needs a few more years matured to reach its potential.

Rich yet delicate amber golden color, coats the glass softly with a swirl. A nose reveals flower honey drizzled over dried apricots; creamy nougat coated raw cashews followed by a slight hint of fir tree needles. Immediate robust flower nectar flavor transitions to citrus toffee; a faint dry smoke rises late on the palate. The smoke gradually recedes back to a citrus confection on the finish. Not overly complex, it is well balanced and utterly satisfying.