Nose: Hints of truffle, soy sauce and Oloroso sherry greet the nostrils, along with a tremendously unctuous core of slightly smoky toffee, honey and a little granary toast. Mince pies, hot from the oven, and something slightly floral too, perhaps a whiff of lavender.
Palate: A phenomenally rich, sherried palate that offers up a fascinating mix of aniseed, smoky bacon crisps, tar and molasses. A true sherry monster! Hints too of sea salt, hoisin sauce and pebbles on the beach.
Finish: The aniseed notes draw out on the finish, with a very interesting explosion of turmermic, allspice and caradmom pods.
Overall: A beast of a sherry dram, with a very interesting Japanese feel that reminds us slightly of some of the old Karuizawa single casks. Very aniseed rich too!