The nose has nutty smoke (roasted chestnuts, toasted coconut), burning leaves, coal embers, tarry ropes, creosoted fence posts and roast parsnips. The intense palate leaves impressions of swirling smoke and burning coal in the mouth; liquorice imps, sage, singed orange peel, brandy snaps, rock pools, coal tar and char; the finish links dry sauna wood and dark chocolate containing sea salt and caramel pieces.

The reduced nose is a road worker’s wheelbarrow full of beach pebbles. The palate – totally satisfying, lip-smacking and galvanising – one to prepare you for battle or going skinny dipping! Transferred from an ex-bourbon hogshead after 6 years to a heavy toast medium char hogshead.