88 / 100
There is plenty of sweetness here, but the contrast with oak and spice is what appeals to me. Honey, dark fruit and oak on the nose lead into raisin, plum and caramel on the palate. Toasted oak and clove give those richer flavours some shape, while vanilla adds a softer note without taking over. The finish returns to dark fruits and sweet caramel, followed by pepper spice and a slightly drying edge. That dryness may be less welcome to someone looking for an entirely soft ending, though it works for my preference for sweetness with some structure. The fruit remains central, and the wood and spice have enough presence to keep it interesting without making the whole character feel overly elaborate.
Reviewed by honeycomb.tram
- Nose
- honey, dark fruit, oak, vanilla, clove
- Palate
- raisin, plum, caramel, toasted oak, clove
- Finish
- dark fruits, sweet caramel, pepper spice, long and slightly drying