“Muy oloroso”, for the non-Spanish speakers, very fragrant – a heady perfumed scent of dried fruits, leather, polished oak, walnuts, marzipan and exotic spices. Round and full bodied, sticky dates and prunes were followed by a coating of caramel and a subtle minty sweetness. Water added a floral aroma of bushes of red roses and rhododendrons next to sweet peas and, given enough time, one can almost sense a kind of elusive rancio.

On the palate we had a slice of German baumkuchen, or tree cake due to its characteristic rings which resemble a timber section when sliced – very popular in Japan apparently. Following four years in an ex-bourbon hogshead, we transferred this whisky into a 2nd fill oloroso hogshead.