Nose

From the first nose, TD0405 boasts an incredible depth, full of dark and rich delights. Entry brings notes of Canelés - a small French pastry flavoured with rum and vanilla with a soft and tender custard centre and a dark, thick caramelized crust - coffee toffee and a side of sweet, spiced oak char and antique furniture (hello French oak!). As the nose opens further it moves between dark, spiced fruit pastries and tropical fruits with a creamy, white chocolate mousse side. Nougat, maple, lolly snakes and blood orange amaro are all there too.

Palate

For all the French oak ex-Tawny driven depth and darkness the nose provided, the transition to the palate is unexpectedly soft and gentle. With a pause and a pop of tropical fruit, we are reminded who is in control here, and it isn’t the oak. Sullivans Cove spirit arrives with passionfruit, guava and candied mandarin peel, stepping onto a red carpet of French oak-derived tannins and gentle swells of spice, providing a medley of tart berries, lemon, and juicy fruit gum. As the palate progresses, notes of oak, spirit, and Tawny move through one another creating an exquisite interplay of flavours; toasty tobacco, plum sauce and blackened yakitori, paprika honey roasted cashews, and freeze-dried strawberries coated in white chocolate.

Finish

A truly layered and delightful finish that allows each component a moment in centre stage. French oak ex-Tawny leads the way with dates in dark chocolate, almond butter and Madeira wine, all underpinned by an aromatic and savoury depth of incense and spiced ginger tea. With incredible length and restraint, a delightful and unexpected spirit-derived note of waxy peach candies and lemon drizzle cake emerges and lingers long after the oak and pre-fill have drifted away.