Jim Martin
May 25, 2026, 11:21:15
Blimey, first sniff and it’s like stepping into some lost world of old sherry casks nobody makes anymore. That extinct profile people whisper about—well, here it is, all damp earthen cellar and leaf mulch, with prunes soaked in ancient Cognac swirling into a thick vortex of syrupy dark fruits. There’s damson jam, crystallised peel, and oddly, a whisper of cherry cough medicine and maraschino juice, but in the best possible way. It gets meaty and savoury fast. Black olive umami, mushroom powder, a dash of Maggi, and this saline, almost seaweed broth note that hangs at the edges. Bitter herbs and spicy black pepper wrestle with walnut oil richness, then it plunges into dark chocolate—decadent, velvety, like the floor of an old wine cellar turned into something edible. The finish is thrillingly long, tense with sweet dark coffee, a prickle of bitter herbal liqueurs, and that dense, fruity, perfectly balanced murk that just doesn’t let go. The anti-maltoporn brigade would probably have a meltdown over my notes, but honestly, it’s a stunning, old-school beast. 🤯🍒🫒
