pkingmartin
Reviewed
June 2, 2023 (edited July 6, 2023)
The nose is velvety soft starting with a mix of a rich stout beer, dark chocolate covered orange caramels and dusty leather-bound books then candied nuts and sweet pipe tobacco followed by mildly sour fruits of lemon zest, nectarines and pineapple that transitions to toasted coconut, mild baking spices and antique polished furniture with low ethanol burn.
The taste is a medium mouthfeel starting with creamy tropical fruit and rich chocolate ganache before veering towards a moderate bitter spice that slowly fades to stout beer, candied nuts and freshly lit pipe tobacco followed by moderately sour fruits of pineapple, nectarines and lemon zest that transitions to toasted coconut and antique polished furniture with medium ethanol burn.
The finish is long, starting with creamy tropical fruit that quickly fades to rich earthy sweets of dark chocolate, espresso and candied nuts along with dusty leather-bound books and polished antique furniture.
This is a very interesting expression that the nose brings sweet yet earthy aromas upfront that are then underscored by mildly sour citrus and well-aged oak that fails to deliver the same balance on the taste which starts creamy and sweet before a moderate spice and sourness that eventually fades to the long finish that is simply wonderful with creamy fruits, sweet earthy notes and old dusty oak.
Overall, a dram I’d be happy to drink anytime with one of the best finishes I’ve ever experienced, but the nose and palate lean heavier on the sour and spice notes than I prefer.
At a price of $200+, this isn’t one I’d be interested in splurging for a full bottle, but could easily see this be a favorite for those less averse to sour and spice.