A superbly rich, heady and aromatic dram, instantly full of medicinal oils, scented hardwood resins, bow rosin, candied pecan nuts, wormwood, lanolin and sticky cinnamon swirl pastries. Water added the richness of pumpkin seed oil, rice wine and aromatic notes of gorse flower, dried mint, new leather and potpourri. The palate was immediately deep and warming, displaying some intricate wood influences: toasty oak spices, vanillin, winter mulling spices, salted caramel, cinnamon sugar, flower honey and dates. Lots going on!

With water we found it became creamier and sweeter, with a wonderfully thick body of cloves, mandarin liqueur, vanilla cream soda, melon cordial and hibiscus flower. Matured for 9 years in a bourbon hogshead, this was transferred to a 1st fill, 60-40 split hybrid American and European oak hogshead with toasted heads.