Nose

Intense, herbal-coffee Oloroso. Taut citrus goes head to head with the prunes and orange conserve. With time some balsamic treacle, tea leaves and iron notes appear.

Palate

Dry, the treacle adding sweetness but the bitter tannins and alcohol make it very austere. Quite herbal and coffeed with dried fruit and stewed prunes.

Finish

Intense and alcoholic but the sweet treacle offsets to an extent allowing the big Oloroso fruit to linger.

Comment

Classy and blemish free but, as I’ve said before, this isn’t my preferred type of whisky.