82 / 100
The nose sounds fairly welcoming: vanilla, soft cereal and honeyed malt offer an easy point of entry, with ripe orchard fruits adding a little lift. On the palate, toffee and spiced apples sit alongside nutmeg and cinnamon, but the rooty gentian, liquorice and leather give it a more demanding side. That contrast interests me; the sweeter notes and spice have some balance without making this sound especially simple. I’d be more cautious about calling the finish easy-going. Alongside its warmth and mineral note, there’s a sharp, spiritous edge and a hint of tannin. For my taste, the approachable nose and balanced palate hold more appeal than that firmer close.
Reviewed by crumpledrambler
- Nose
- Sweet vanilla, Soft cereal, Honeyed malt, Ripe orchard fruits
- Palate
- Rich toffee, Spiced apples, Nutmeg and cinnamon, Rooty gentian, liquorice and leather, Syrupy spice
- Finish
- Warmth, Sharp, spiritous edge, Hint of tannin, Minerals and a hint of ozone