Nose: The nose-feel is mellow and the aroma is profoundly complex. Mild at first and vinous, with fruity top notes suggesting a rich fruit cake with wine-soaked raisins, candied orange peel and toasted almonds. Later some butterscotch emerges, with a slightly burnt edge to the cake. Water dials back the fruit and introduces a cooling effect.

Palate: At natural strength, light yet creamy-smooth; a very slightly waxy texture and a mouth-watering, sweet start with a notablyfruity clove-studded spiciness. Then gently drying, with more spice towards the end yielding a light peppery warmth. Richly flavoured and well balanced, it drinks well straight. With just a dash of water the texture is thinner and the sweetness comes forward slightly; there is a shake of salt now at the expense of the spicier warmth, which returns in the finish.

Finish: Very long, fruity and warming, with a lingering spicy warmth and hint of salted plums in the aftertaste. The latter is increased by a drop of water, when the whole aftertaste becomes unusually menthol-cool, with perhaps a suggestion of cherry liqueur chocolates.