The rich, inviting nose conjured up an age gone by – polished wood, pipe tobacco in a leather pouch and vanilla pods, with additional alluring sweetness of toffee, honey, Sugar Puffs and pink wafers. The palate also hinted at leather, tobacco and vanilla, with sweeter dimensions of Rich Tea, Garibaldis, toffee and banana loaf.

The impression was of mellow understatement; a very appealing combination of venerable age with a lighter playful touch. Water brought mango, banana chips and bourbon-like wood spices to the nose – a blooming flower to be treated with care. The palate was now juicy, sweet and tropical – eminently quaffable.