The Coterie Exclusive

First off, the nose is bombarded with sherried notes, dried fruits, lots of marmalades, very ripe red apple, tobacco, some smoked vanilla, creamy custard. Then some astringent notes, and something fresher, freshly squeezed apple juice, even honeysuckle. Marshmallows. Lots of fun nosing this one.Sulphuric notes show up after the first chew.

Much sweeter than expected! Syrupy sweet, basically whisky with maple syrup. Loads of fig jam, apricot jam, ripe red apple, maple syrup, heavy barley sweetness, cereals, it does have some bite, warm with black pepper. Absolutely nothing bitter, completely sugar coated. Some fresher astringency comes out, which is very welcomed. Second chew brings new stuff, very nice. Cooked cheestnuts, brine, light custard, vague note of freshly cut grass as the sweetness comes down. Hint of smoke in the background. The balance is getting better, though astringency now develops a bit too much in the profile.Third chew has more bite, it's more aggressive with more black pepper, chili pepper, freshly grated ginger, heavier smoke, more powerful and vigorous. Quite a lot better here with a fuller body, still lots of fruit and a better balance.

Still very warm and strong, ripe red apple, toffee, custard, barley, very light smoke, brine, a bit of caramel. Lots of good stuff here.Fades of a bit too quickly, though.