Description
The neat nose suggested a strong influence from the wine, with big immediate impressions of sultana, raisin, strawberry jam, balsamic and rancio all noted. We also got pickled walnuts and a nice touch of funky, earthy dry sherry. Water revealed delicate sweeter elements such as toffee popcorn and butterscotch with sea salt, plus more aromatic, herbal qualities including toasted fennel seed and dried tarragon. The neat palate was full of crushed hazelnuts, cod liver oil, bitter dark chocolate notes and herbal cough syrup. This had a big, chewy, textural profile we all agreed. Water again enhanced the sweetness, while also adding depth with notes of game stock, cranberry sauce, lemon oil, and coffee and walnut cake flavours. This was matured in a second fill bourbon barrel for 10 years before being transferred to a first fill ex-bodega PX barrique.