I’m greeted with a powerful yet delicate nose, like a pungent bouquet of honeysuckle and apple blossoms, but with an alcoholic kick. There’s unhulled barley, wildflower honey, and a feint minerality, almost a note of chalk but not so dry, more like Bird’s vanilla custard powder. Also, a hint of bourbon barrel spices and just a drop of lemony citrus. Spicy, sharp, and syrupy sweet on the tongue, it is the experience of the nose amplified. The heavy caramel sweetness fades quickly into soft vanilla, as the spice builds through the mid-palate approaching cayenne. The citrus too intensifies at this point, and evolves towards Valencia orange. The body lacks the girth expected but is by no means thin, not velvety but a tad creamy. The legs are so so, disorganized yet beautiful heavy teardrops form pretty skirts for a few moments before disappearing. The medium finish is dry, mineral, clean copper, oaky, somewhat bitter almond skins, and slightly saline. Whispers of spice and citrus hang on to the bitter end as well. The addition of water softens everything but the citrus sharpness, and makes the body creamier. Aroma: 9 Taste: 9 Body: 8 Finish: 8.5