Official tasting notes:
Nose: Immediately rich and alluring, the stage is set early for a weighty, broad-shouldered dram. The darker components of Muscat present themselves first: medjool dates, honeycomb and spiced fruit toast, backed up by the structured coffee and oolong tea oak notes. Caramel, banana, cola bottles open up with some air, while delicate trails of baking spice and eucalyptus weave throughout.
Palate: Honeycomb and fruit toast lead the charge, and we move into a palate-realm as deep and dark as the nose: leather, prunes, cinnamon and tobacco, with a gentle bacon note. But we’re not lost; the guiding structural finesse of French Oak steers the ship with an earthy, herbal grip throughout the centre of the palate, holding space for brighter notes of candied orange peel and rose syrup. Silky.
Finish: A natural flow from palate to finish highlights the integration achieved here. Oolong tea returns alongside cherry ripe, fruit compote, subtle baking spice and a big banana milkshake. Spirit and oak are very well integrated in flavour and texture; harmonious and delicious flavour flows in abundance.
Sullivans Cove ‘Special Cask’ 13 Year Old French Oak Ex-Muscat Cask TD0302 700ml 47.6%
