Mike Cooper
May 16, 2026, 03:40:45
Right, so cracking this open, the first thing that hits you is a whiff of dried orchard fruits—think bruised apples and a bit of pear skin 🍎🍐. There’s a subtle nuttiness underneath, like almond shells, and a flicker of old oak that’s been soaking up sherry for donkeys. Sipping it neat, it’s surprisingly gentle. A wave of honey’d sweetness rolls in first, then a prickle of baking spice—cinnamon, a touch of clove. Almost buttery, like shortbread crumbling on the tongue. The fruit leans darker now, stewed plums maybe, with just a hint of orange peel. Water opens it up a treat. That spicy edge calms down and you get more of that malty biscuit note, Digestive biscuits dunked in weak tea. A faint wisp of smoke drifts through at the end, barely there, like a distant bonfire on a damp evening 🔥. The finish is warm and middling-long, leaving a gentle tingle of pepper and the memory of toffee apples. Proper cozy dram, this.
