An amazing colour of highly polished conkers was followed by a herbal whack, almost slightly medicinal – like crushed aspirin – but at the same time roasted chestnuts and blackstrap rum. On the palate neat it reminded us of two classic cocktails ‘Corn ‘n’ Oil’ and ‘Dark ‘n’ Stormy’ – serious stuff. Assertive spices met dark treacle toffee and an espresso to the power of 4!

With the addition of water, a dark sweetness of molasses appeared next to caramelized figs as well as a prune and Armagnac tart. The taste was that of a juicy pack of sultanas stirred with a cinnamon stick and a death by chocolate cake made with PX Sherry.