Revisiting a long-open bottle. An absolutely stunning rich mahogany in the glass, but unfortunately no extra weight at only 40%. Butterscotch and dark amarena cherry nose. Black walnut. A crisp, piney menthol gives the nostrils a firm tickle. The palate starts gently sweet then turns decidedly dry. Dark chocolate caramels and macerated prune. Astringent wood dominates the later palate with prominent barrel influence - charred oak and vanillas mingle with some gentian and bitter orange. The dryness lingers through a moderate finish. Packed with bombastic flavor and quite enjoyable to explore. At the end of the day, I think the barrel notes are a bit heavy-handed and some elegance is lost, but it’s gorgeous, intriguing, and affordable, and certainly more than adequate for a brooding evening in your study.