After 11 years in an American oak oloroso butt we moved this into a 1st fill, Spanish oak Pedro Ximenez butt. The nose is a merry-go-round of multifarious amusements – orange oil, kirsch, marzipan, vanilla and dates, with subtle susurrations of treacle, nutmeg, liquorice and dunnage warehouses.

The palate is chewy and substantial, yet smooth and easy – a massive fruit bomb of marzipan cherry cake, strawberry tarts and blueberry muffins, with tannic undertones of malt loaf, dark chocolate and balsamic glaze. A touch of water brings curious notes of dandelion and burdock, fennel seeds, pine resin and eucalyptus to the nose and sticky toffee pudding, tamarind, stem ginger, walnut whip and leather to the palate.