Nose: Syrupy dried fruit, rich earth and bittersweet orange marmalade at first, with hints of rancio, worn leather and ancient oak furniture. Gingernut biscuits, muscovado sugar and dried herbs develop among marzipan and a little vanilla.
Palate: The palate opens with an array of tropical fruit, Medjoul dates and plenty of blackberry notes, which balance against drying oak spice, earth and green Chartreuse. Oily chestnuts, dark chocolate and more aromatic ginger emerge with time, as well as touches of white truffle, red apple and game meats.
Finish: Wonderfully long, dry and bittersweet, with a final flourish of cinnamon bark after an age.