A topic of conversation

The Panel was divided. Some got strawberry jam, yum yum cake, sultanas and prune juice, while others described it as being more like paint, chemicals, a whiff of struck matches and a sour cream dip. That divide continued on the neat palate as strawberry tarts, plum juice and a fruit loaf met sharp green apple slices, manchego cheese and fig chutney. After reduction the opposing views levelled off, as we discovered melted butter, orange liqueur and cigar boxes, as well as sweet and sour bamboo shoots. To taste, we found rice pudding and sweet and salty porridge, with a finish of sour cherry negroni. Following 11 years in an ex-bourbon hogshead, we transferred this whisky into a first fill American oak oloroso hogshead.