Nose: Incredibly intense. Buckets of vanilla combine with flamed orange zest. The cardamom makes itself known by offering up an evocative suggestion of old-fashioned cola, and to this the cloves bring out a deep, dark complexity. Yet more sweetness comes from the juicy, fresh cinnamon, which melds beautifully with a core of the essential oils of Seville orange peel.
Palate: An absolutely huge whack of high-proof spicy vanilla-laden complexity. Hints of Manuka honey and mouth-watering cinnamon form its heart, with molasses, candy floss, toffee apples, crème brûlée and clove-studded oranges.
Finish: An incredibly long finish, with a stunning degree of freshness as the cinnamon, orange and creamy, sweet vanilla coat the palate for minutes.
Overall: If there was ever going to be anything that could top the standard Rumbullion! this is it. The additional ABV will be a welcome boon to those used to cask-strength whiskies, and those who appreciate deep and intense flavours.