Nose: Sugared almonds and honeyed pecans bring a delicate, nutty sweetness among chocolate caramel fudge and oak char. Light spice, buttery vanilla and sweet tobacco develop among hints of red wine and rancio.
Palate: Big hits of prickling winter spice as well as juicy pineapple and roasted apricot rush to the palate among earthy oak. Manuka honey-drenched red meat, savoury nuts, coffee beans and just a drop of engine oil arise in the backdrop.
Finish: The spice continues to fizz away in a long, smooth finish.
Overall: A stunningly intense, refined and full-bodied delight with some truly wonderful cask influence. This is an absolute superstar of a rum.