SMWS 68.66 ("Insanity Dram")

Color: Christmas sherry. Nose: Nuts galore -- honey-glazed peanuts and toasted black walnuts. Raisins stewed in cloves and cinnamon, garnishing baked plums and figs. Palate: Definitely an Oloroso hogshead. Savory game meats with lingering hints of rich red burgundy. Potent mushrooms sauteed with rich butter. Finish: Hotter than you're expecting! Lingering traces of a little smokey firewood. Bitter wet coffee grounds. Diluted: Richer and sweeter nose, with big-time honey notes and more of that coffee, like a fresh-ground light roast. Fruits really play up on the palate, but so do the confections -- red berries with dark chocolate. Finish is notably mellower, with a red wine stickiness and delicious caramel apple.