The Gum-Gatherer’s log cabin

The nose evoked a log cabin in the snow – fire in the hearth, polished Amish furniture and the sweetness of maple candies, golden meringues, vanilla custard slice and rum-soaked raisins. The palate, ‘woodier than a beaver’s breakfast’ – had dried apple rings, ice-cream wafers, honeycomb, candy corns and toffee; hints of clove and smoked venison teased the finish. The reduced nose offered cornflakes, Frosties and cinnamon gum, with secret whispers of cherry brandy or old port. The palate grew sweeter; red liquorice, loaf sugar with five-spice powder chicken wings cooked over hickory chips and intimations of Robert Frost’s The Gum-Gatherer heading to market. This mash bill consisted of 80% corn, 8 % rye & 12% malted barley.