Official tasting notes
Nose: Entry is rich and full, sitting forward in the nasal cavity. Opening up to baked cinnamon apples, crème caramel and blackcurrant. Time in the glass brings a flinty minerality, petrichor. The mid is dark and brooding with black forest gateau, creamy coffee and chocolate truffles, while the top brings lightness: green apple skins, jersey caramels and sticky date pudding sauce. The toasty Australian Tawny and the complex spice from the French Oak finds itself incredibly well integrated – an almost undetectable tingle, present as warmth and depth.
Palate: The nose moves gently to the palate, and we are greeted by Sullivans Cove spirit character providing an initial fresh burst of tropical fruit that quickly deepens to raisin toast, barbeque drippings and burnt ends. A pause is found before the mid palate expresses fresh mandarin, red liquorice, walnuts and baking spices – spirit, pre-fill and oak all present and lively, blink and you will miss the movements between them as they intermingle and flow in and out of each other. On the back palate we are greeted with the lift and layering of fine tannins and beautifully integrated oak spice, elevating the notes of musk and bread crusts, a malty note emerges as Sullivans Coves oily and viscous spirit carries flavour to the finish.
Finish: The finish is rich and deep with most fruit left behind in the nose and palate. Dark chocolate and dates dipped in almond butter find chocolate malt milkshakes and cacao nibs resting in the centre. The finish tails off with generous length and leaves chocolate covered coffee beans.
Sullivans Cove 8 Year Old French Oak Ex-Tawny Cask TD0404 700ml 49.1%
