Nose

Unctuous and inviting as the aroma tickles the senses at first nosing. Warming and full-bodied dark winter goodies: Ripe damson plums, cooking apples, spiced fig jam. A burst of aroma opens rapidly, with freshly snapped rhubarb stalks, demerara sugar, and ginger cookie dough. Nutmeg, cinnamon, and marzipan interlace throughout. Clearly a Pinot Noir eau-de-vie: the damson and rhubarb notes are dead give-aways.

Palate

An instant, warm, glowing feeling as the liquid glides onto the palate. Dark brambles and Bakewell Tarts/frangipane are quick to entice you in for another sip. A waxy, syrupy texture grips the tongue with hits of dark chocolate and crystalised ginger stems. Lots of dark stone fruits come through with bursts of sherberty apples, shining a light on the eau-de-vie. In the background there are speckles of rum & raisin, mixed with cardamom and Cinder Toffee. A little sprinkle of spearmint lingers at the end.

Finish

A wonderfully long and lingering finish. The dark fruits and spices lead into expensive French perfume: amber, jasmine, and deep mandarin oil. Sweet, freshly roasted chestnuts and glacé cherries dance around at the back. The encore is taken by nuances of dark blackberry incense cones and treacle scones.