The Panel pictured a warm Caribbean evening at a beachside sundowner bar. Cantaloupe melon, white grapes and orchard fruits appeared alongside peach iced tea, light cereal, charred oak and a touch of burlap. On the palate, margarita salt, sharp-sweet lemon and tangy pineapple evoked beachside cocktails and tropical indulgence. A splash of water introduced sun-baked warmth, including honey, cherries, red fruits and delicate oak shavings.
The reduced palate found flavours of blackcurrant cordial, sugar syrup, Victoria sponge cake and rose water. A juicy peach character tied everything together, balancing bright fruitiness with soft tropical notes. Easygoing yet complex, this is a dram for the golden hour on sun-drenched shores. After 13 years in an ex-bourbon barrel, we transferred this to a 2nd fill Cabernet Sauvignon hogshead for the remainder of its maturation.