A champion rises from the suds

The Panel were treated to a stroll through a dried summer garden, where scents of bayleaf, heather and vines met bourbon and the gentle suds of rosewater soap. We then found dried fruit and wheat-flake cereal, dried bananas and passion fruit. We agreed that the initial palate reminded us of hot runny syrup on lightly toasted pancakes, alongside lotus biscuits, rusks and thick vanilla cake with peach jam. A splash of water brought out aromas of tree sap, black tea leaves, and cookies and cream ice cream. The reduced palate delivered vanilla chai latte, raspberry meringue and cheesecake. This held water like a champion, powerful and rich to the end, balancing wood and syrup in a dram undoubtedly mature beyond its years.