Nose - strawberry, caramel, vanilla, plum, fig, dry cherry, honey, clove, allspice, black pepper, sweet oak, red wine, moderate ethanol burn. Taste - tart strawberry, date, fig, apple, cinnamon, allspice, clove, spiced honey, sweet oak, black pepper, subtle nut, creamy vanilla, caramel, mild to moderate alcohol bite, finishing medium length with baking spice, sour strawberry, and boozy caramel flavors. I haven’t tasted port in a long time, but I imagine it’s a fair assessment to call this a port bomb. Rich strawberry and dried red fruits dominate the nose. Caramel, honey, and baking spices are present, but very much play second fiddle. There is no doubt this has spent considerable time in a sweet wine cask. Again, the palate highlights strawberry and other sour red fruits. There’s a nice spice-infused honey vibe going on, as well as a whiff of nuttiness that I can’t quite place. Quinta Ruban is certainly a step up in quality from the Lasanta. I don’t pick up on any sulphuric off notes, and it doesn’t strike me as exceedingly underaged. Still, there’s some sourness, particularly on finish, that indicates to me that this would be improved with a bit more time in the barrel. Overall, I would be never be disappointed to drink this if offered. I won’t go out of my way to buy a bottle, but at around $50, I think there’s some good value to be found here.