Mark’s Whisky Ramblings 505: Cambus 30 Year Old 1991 Signatory Vintage

Mark Dermul, Belgian whiskyblogger, tries a three decade old grain. No less than 23 casks of Cambus 1991 have already been bottled in recent years by independent bottler Signatory Vintage in their well-known Cask Strength Collection – you know, in those beautiful, but clumsy decanters. This is one of the more recent, namely from 2022, from a refill sherry butt that yielded no less than 454 bottles at cask strength.

https://youtu.be/3_sVILfn7As

CUTTY SARK WHISKY CELEBRATES 100 YEARS OF ADVENTURE UNVEILING RARE CENTENARY EDITION ABOARD ITS NAMESAKE SHIP

CUTTY SARK Blended Scotch Whisky this week marked its 100^th anniversary in adventurous style, with a spirited celebration aboard its namesake, the famed Cutty Sark ship. It was a fitting moment for the brand to launch the whisky’s commemorative CUTTY SARK Centenary Edition – a swirling storm of flavour.

An unforgettable voyage of discovery, CUTTY SARK’S bold and complex Centenary Edition was unveiled to customers, influencers and industry experts from all around the world going back to the brand roots:  events at Berry Bros & Rudd; where the band was created in 1923, and on the iconic Cutty Sark Ship in Greenwich, London; the famous clipper that inspired the brand name and label. A blend of hand-selected whiskies from some of Scotland’s most legendary distilleries, this 23-year-old rarity is contained within just 1,435 numbered bottles. It begins with a storm of swirling caramel and chocolate, which drifts into notes of soft fruits and spice. The edition is encased in a striking gift pack resembling a mainsail, a cleat cork, a nod to the three-masted tea clipper which is the brand’s constant inspiration.

The edition’s launch was the culmination of CUTTY SARK’s anniversary celebrations. These include:

• An Anniversary limited-edition design of CUTTY SARK’s original whisky. Available globally, it showcases a vibrant label and giftbox in the brand’s signature yellow.
• A dramatic video campaign entitled Never-Ending Adventure, reflecting CUTTY SARK’s boundary-breaking spirit, from the brand’s pioneering roots, to being smuggled into the US during Prohibition and more.
• A striking communication campaign which anchors CUTTY SARK in its maritime world and honours its adventurous style.

Manon Brochet, CUTTY SARK Brand Manager, said: “We are so proud to celebrate 100 years of CUTTY SARK Blended Scotch Whisky aboard our namesake, the Cutty Sark ship. Brimming with flavours fathoms deep, our CUTTY SARK Centenary Edition gives a real flavour of our whisky’s century of adventure. And we are celebrating around the world thanks to our Anniversary Edition and dramatic video campaign. With the wind in our sails since 1923, we are looking forward to sharing many more adventures with CUTTY SARK lovers in the years to come!”

Since 1923 CUTTY SARK Blended Scotch Whisky has crossed the ages, always remaining true to its spirit of adventure. Launched at the height of Prohibition, CUTTY SARK was created to defy convention. With a unique history and audacious personality, CUTTY SARK inspires all with adventure in their DNA.

CUTTY SARK CENTENARY EDITION TASTING NOTES

 Colour: Tawny

Nose: Gentle aromas of lemon frosting ebb and flow with raisins and demerara sugar. Ripples of subtle spice and caramel are cut through by hazelnuts and a splash of oak and spice.

Palate: A mouth-coating storm of spice and sweetness. Gingerbread surges with polished oak, alongside waves of dark fruits, caramel and chocolate. Ever-present are sherried undercurrents of nuts, polished leather and tobacco.

Finish: Long and lingering, as autumn leaves, tannins and candied orange drift into soft spice and berries.

ABV: 52,2% , non chill filtered

RETAIL CONSUMER PRICE PRICE: 800€ / 900£ / 1000$

ABOUT CUTTY SARK CENTENARY EDITION

The bold and complex commemorative Cutty Sark Centenary Edition is created from hand-selected whiskies aged for 23 years, and contained within just 1,435 numbered bottles. Brimming with flavours fathoms deep, this unique blend of Scotch whiskies holds at its heart precious casks of single malt aged in oloroso sherry casks and finished in port wine casks for a rich sweetness. That single malt was then skilfullly united with hand-selected malt and grain whiskies from some of Scotland’s most legendary distilleries. Finally, the blend was married for 100 days in casks which once held port (long the sailor’s drink of choice), to seamlessly integrate its layers of flavour. Bottled at cask strength, the non-chill filtered whisky culminates in a complex storm of swirling caramel and chocolate which drifts into notes of soft fruits and spice.

The limited edition’s eye-catching gift pack elegantly hints at CUTTY SARK’s constant inspiration – the iconic tea clipper Cutty Sark, one of the fastest of her time. The edition’s casing resembles a mainsail, closed by a beautifully looped white rope, hooked into a golden eyelet. It opens to reveal a striking, original bottle, presented on a golden stand. The bottle is topped by a golden stopper in the shape of a ship’s cleat, with rope detail wound around the neck.

Cutty Sark Centenary Edition will be sold in specialist stores across brand core markets like Spain, USA, Portugal, Greece, and Japan. Travel Retail premium displays will be also available.

ABOUT CUTTY SARK SCOTCH WHISKY

Created in 1923, CUTTY SARK Blended Scotch Whisky was named after the legendary three-mast tea clipper, one of the fastest of her days. Launched at the height of the cocktail culture and smuggled into the US during the Prohibition, this iconic whisky was an instant hit and pioneered a new smoother style of Scotch whisky. With such a unique maritime and historical heritage, CUTTY SARK is an inspiring whisky celebrating the Spirit of Adventure. Today, the brand is exported around the world, offering the best experiences for those with adventure in their DNA.

For more information: 

ABOUT LA MARTINIQUAISE GROUP

La Martiniquaise features in the world’s Top 10 spirits companies and is the leading spirits group in France. This independent French group founded in 1934 employs 3400 people and has a turnover of 1.4 billion euros. Headquartered near Paris, the group operates in 150 countries on a large portfolio of international brands with a full control of the elaboration process and a strong commitment to promoting sustainable development.

La Martiniquaise is today the world’s Top 4 Scotch whisky player and owns the Starlaw Grain Distillery in Edinburgh and the Single malt Glen Moray Distillery in the heart of the Speyside.

For more information: www.la-martiniquaise.com

(Sources IMPACT & THE IWSR)

THE MACALLAN BRINGS SPEYSIDE TO LONDON WITH A MAGICAL AMBER MEADOW INSTALLATION AT ROSEWOOD LONDON

Londoners will be able to take in a touch of Speyside this October at Amber Meadow – a spectacular installation at one of the capital’s most prestigious hotels, running from Wednesday 11 October to Sunday 29 October.

Inspired by nature, Rosewood London will see its terrace and courtyard transformed into a Scottish meadow landscape to celebrate and showcase The Macallan Harmony Collection Amber Meadow – the third edition of The Harmony Collection limited annual release whisky.

The Amber Meadow installation will see Rosewood London’s iconic courtyard – an urban sanctuary just moments from Covent Garden – re-imagined as an expansive meadow, complete with authentic foliage, a babbling brook, plus a stone archway and dry-stone walls. Native grass, trees, plants and flowers will form an idyllic escape, with the whole space lit by a sun-like orb above, creating an amber glow and luring guests into the tranquil space.

The terrace is a contemporary interpretation of the Scottish wild environment but brought inside. Responsibly sourced lambswool and alpaca wool throws will lend further comfort, while flowers and herbs from the meadow will decorate the tables.

The third release in The Harmony Collection is a collaboration between The Macallan and Stella and Mary McCartney, inspired by The McCartney sisters’ love of Scotland which stems from their memories in the Scottish countryside. The limited release whisky will be available at the terrace alongside cocktails based around The Macallan Double Cask 12 Years Old and 15 Years Old, such as Rosewood London’s Interpretation of Mary’s Wildwood cocktail – a carbonated rendering with clarified apple and freeze-dried blackberries – and Foraging Old Fashioned, with sous-bois verjus, evaporated nougat, palo cortado and edible moss.

The latest edition of The Harmony Collection celebrates the lands of Scotland that connect all those who have stood upon them for generations. The terrace’s à la carte menu, created by Head Chef, Liam Fauchard Newman, will feature dishes created to complement the whisky offerings and further reflect the Speyside origins of The Macallan. Amid a predominantly vegetarian menu, seaweed cracker is garnished with foraged herbs; grilled miso-glazed aubergine comes with mushroom puree, cistus, garlic and kale. Every dish will feature herbs, plants and foliage found at The Macallan Estate and surrounding areas.

Rosewood London’s terrace will also be open from 4pm daily for dinner and from 12.30pm onwards Friday and Saturday for lunch and dinner. Special ticketed events will also be available on selected dates, featuring a guided meadow tour to the accompaniment of a guitar player and sketch artist, before a four-course dinner paired with The Macallan cocktails.

Throughout the planning of the project, eco-conscious practices have been paramount. The stone used in the installation (which is the same used to construct The Macallan Estate) has been sourced from Dundee-based Denfind Stone, selected for its commitment to sustainability, and will be returned to the quarry after use, where it will be transformed into a garden area. The greenery from the meadow, from trees to plants, will also be re-used after the event. All the materials used in the installation will be transported in trucks that run on Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, which is 90% less polluting than diesel fuel.

The third instalment in the annual release includes two distinctive expressions: The Macallan Harmony Collection Amber Meadow and Green Meadow (the second of which will be available exclusively in travel retail in 2024). The packaging of each release features photography of The Macallan Estate, captured by Mary McCartney. The Macallan Harmony Collection Amber Meadow will be available from 11 October 2023 at an RRSP of £160.

The unique partnership will also focus on a Collection of lifestyle pieces. TOGETHER: A Collection for The Macallan by Stella and Mary McCartney introduces a limited-edition Collection of 11 lifestyle pieces designed by the sisters and skillfully realised by master artisans and craftspeople. The Collection showcases a curated selection of bespoke pieces including handmade glassware in vibrant shades that are coloured using natural minerals, an ombre ceramic flask encased in an apple leather alternative sleeve, a pair of brass ice stamps with meticulously hand-painted ceramic handles using a green and amber ombre colour blend and a brass napkin weight in the shape of an acorn, as a tribute to the exceptional oak casks which mature The Macallan whisky.

TOGETHER is exclusively sold as a complete set and will be available in limited numbers from 11 October 2023.

Tasting notes for The Macallan Harmony Collection Amber Meadow

Colour: Summer evening

Aroma: Rich orange and lemon, honeysuckle, vanilla, coconut and ripe barley fields

Palate: Rich oak, lemon, melon, classic scone, almond and green tea

Finish: Rich, sweet, long and complex

ABV: 44.2%

About The Macallan

Founded in 1824 on a plateau above the River Spey in north-east Scotland, The Macallan is renowned globally for its incomparable craftsmanship, creativity and innovation with each bottle of single malt whisky revealing its unique mastery of wood and spirit.

Social and environmental sustainability is at the heart of The Macallan, and as part of its commitment to establishing a positive legacy it revealed its award-winning new Distillery in 2018. Designed by internationally acclaimed architects, the building takes inspiration from the surrounding ancient Scottish hills and is located on The Macallan’s beautiful 485-acre Estate. To this day, the single greatest influence on The Macallan’s sought after portfolio of single malts is its sherry seasoned oak casks from which its whiskies derive their distinctive flavours, aromas and natural colour.

Crafted without compromise. Please savour The Macallan responsibly.

About Rosewood London

Rosewood London, centrally located in the heart of London on High Holborn and housed in the original headquarters of the Pearl Assurance Company, showcases a sensitive renovation of the 1914 Edwardian, Grade II-listed building. Combining English heritage with contemporary sophistication, the retained Belle Époque architectural features include the original carriageway entrance to the grand courtyard and a spectacular Pavonazzo marble staircase, which rises over seven storeys. The hotel has the feel of a stylish London residence and houses 263 guestrooms and 45 suites including the Grand Manor House Wing, an exclusive seven-bedroom suite with its very own postcode. Tony Chi and Associates created the interiors of the public areas including 11 event spaces and the Mirror Room, serving elegant, innovative cuisine and afternoon tea. The Martin Brudnizki-designed Holborn Dining Room and year-round outdoor terrace offer British classics with a twist whilst Scarfes Bar serves creative cocktails alongside live jazz. For more information, please visit rosewoodhotels.com/ london

A Tale of Tokyo

Dr Bill: “This liquid is crazy. Its flavour notes are insane, dissonant and impenetrable.”

Aged in rare Mizunara, Bourbon and Sherry casks
Today is launch day, and we are pleased to offer PRE ORDER now:

PRE ORDER NOW >>

A whisky born of an obsession, Dr Bill’s obsession for the culture, fashion and food of Japan. The contradictory and multi-faceted nature of Tokyo inspired Dr Bill to reflect it into a whisky. After a decade of searching, Dr Bill finally managed to source some casks from one of Japan’s most sought-after trees, Mizunara oak. The result is a whisky designed to bottle some of the wonders of Tokyo – multi-faceted, contradictory and always surprising!

Welcome to Dr Bill’s “Tale of Tokyo”.

Inspired by a whisky as full of delicious contradictions as Tokyo itself, Japanese artist Yamaguchi Akira has created an illustration of Tokyo full of contrasts. He depicted daily scenes opposing past and present and playing with scale.

Dr Bill: “This liquid is crazy. Its flavour notes are insane, dissonant and impenetrable.” Aged in Mizunara, Bourbon and Sherry casks.

Colour: reddish bronze colour ‘like the rising sun’.
Aroma: pungent and herbal, with hints of incense and toffee, along with a curious herbal top-note, like saddle-soap or beeswax, followed by wood resin and a touch of cedar wood.
Taste: a peppery mouthfeel leads into the flavour of chewy oak, fennel or vetiver root, ground white pepper, tangy oranges, bitter cherries, almond and wood resin.

The fourth and possibly best yet in the “Tale of” series, welcome to Glenmorangie and their super late season release

Register Your Interest:
Macallan Harmony III – Amber Meadow

Macallan Harmony Collection Amber Meadow

The third release in the Harmony Collection has been created in collaboration with Stella and Mary McCartney to celebrate the lush, fertile lands of Scotland. If you would like a bottle then please register at the link below to stay in-the-know of how you can get your hands on one. A combination of both sherry seasoned oak and bourbon casks create warm, citrus, malty notes reminiscent of Scottish barley fields. Discarded meadow cuttings have been given new life helping craft the sustainable packaging.

£160.00

Register Your Interest ❯

Free Next Day Delivery for 12 Months For just £14.95 you can enjoy free next day delivery on all your orders for a whole year! Geographic restrictions apply, see full T&Cs. Find out more ❯

It’s official – we’ve really gone and done it!

We wanted to share the fantastic news that GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ has officially validated our world record attempt, so The Scotch Malt Whisky Society now holds the record for the most participants in an online whisky tasting event – the final number being 447, as some attendees had to be discounted due to the strict regulations.

We are absolutely delighted that our members from more than 15 countries including the UK, Europe, USA, Canada, Australia, Japan, China, South Africa, Hong Kong, Denmark, Switzerland, New Zealand, Mexico, Taiwan and Korea were able to achieve this during our 40th anniversary celebrations.

We want to extend thanks to each and every one of you who purchased the dedicated tasting pack, who registered for the event and who participated on the day.

For those of you who took part, The Scotch Malt Whisky Society has ordered the winning certificate but there is also an opportunity to purchase a general certificate of participation directly from the Guinness World Records website should you wish to do so.

Congratulations!

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, The Vaults, 87 Giles Street, Leith EH6 6BZ

Contact: sales@smws.com or call 0131 555 2929 (Mon-Fri 9am-4.45pm). Visit the Society at here for membership information

This is your chance to join and to take advantage of their great offers!

Spot the SMWS bottles in this amusing You Tube video

Our Top 10s for October

Check out our favourite bottles this month selected by our head buyer Dawn Davies MW. For the whisky drinkers, our top picks feature special offers on single malts from Caperdonich, Highland Park and Arran.

TOP 10 WHISKIES

Phil will return in November.

Experience the excellence of award-winning Tomatin whisky: The ultimate gift for whisky enthusiasts this Christmas 

Highland distillery unveils its ‘must-have’ whiskies to gift and celebrate this Christmas

Discover the true essence of the festive season by sharing or gifting a remarkable dram.

Nestled in the heart of the Highlands, Tomatin distillery is renowned for its portfolio of exquisite single malts. Behind this award-winning whisky, full of history and Scottish charm lies a loyal team, many with decades of experience, and a proud heritage that spans generations before them.

Tomatin – 12 Year Old single malt (70cl, 43% ABV, £48.50)

An award-winning flagship from Tomatin’s core range: a silky smooth single malt with a rich and fruity aroma.  

This remarkable 12 Year Old single malt is matured in a combination of ex-bourbon, ex-Spanish sherry and traditional Scotch whisky casks.

Initial aromas of wild heather, pine and cedar soon reveal sweeter notes of crème caramel with apples, pears and mango, before a full-bodied and buttery finish.

The quality of this whisky was recognised at the world-renowned International Spirits Challenge receiving Gold in 2022 and 2021, and most recently, picking up Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition in 2023.

Available at: https://tomatin.com/ and specialist whisky retailers.

Tomatin – 14 Year Old single malt (70cl, 46% ABV, £76.50)

A rare single malt from Tomatin’s core range: silky and sweet, benefiting from its time spent in Tawny Port casks

This distinctive 14 year old single malt whisky is matured in Bourbon barrels and finished in Tawny Port casks which have previously held port for around 50 years.

A feather in the cap of Tomatin’s first class wood policy, a rich but balanced aromas of red berries are met with sweet honey and rich toffee which develop into aspects of light fruits and nuts to create an abiding finish of smooth fruit salad.

The quality of this whisky was recognised at the world-renowned International San Francisco World Spirits Competition in 2021 picking up Gold and Double Gold in 2019.

Available at: https://tomatin.com/ and specialist whisky retailers

Tomatin – 18 Year Old single malt (70cl, 46% ABV, £126.00)

 A jewel in the crown of Tomatin’s core range: a silky smooth single malt that enjoys its final maturation in Oloroso Sherry butts.

The Tomatin 18 Year Old is a truly luxurious world-class malt, matured in Spanish oak Oloroso sherry butts. It is a rich, complex and rewarding whisky that is natural in colour and non-chill filtered.

Initial aromas boast of dried apricot, nougat and distinctive nutty flavours which develop into bursts of tropical fruit with mellow undertones to create a rich and full-bodied finish.

This distinctive 18 year old is the most awarded in the range, with continual recognition at the world-renowned International San Francisco World Spirits Competition picking up Double Gold in 2022, 2019 and also in 2018.

Available at: https://tomatin.com/ and specialist whisky retailers

Tomatin – PX Cask (70cl, 57.4% ABV, £399.00)

 An exceptional new limited-edition single malt bottled exclusively for the UK: a rich and intensely sweet spirit  

The UK Exclusive Single Cask 2001 bottled for specialist retailers across the UK and is beautifully aged in a Pedro Ximenez sherry butt. The whisky has been gently matured to develop a complex flavour profile, offering a unique mix of dark sweetness and bitter notes, demonstrating Tomatin’s continued craftsmanship in cask maturations.

Distilled in 2001 and bottled in 2022 this exceptional expression boasts initial aromas of of maple syrup, candied walnuts, prunes and rum-soaked sultanas, which later transitions into bitter aromas such as dark chocolate, treacle, espresso and leather.

Presented in a premium bottle and single cask packaging, crafted to reflect the quality of the whisky. This whisky is perfect for whisky connoisseur.

Available at: https://tomatin.com/ and specialist whisky retailers

 Tasting notes

Tomatin 12 Year Old tasting notes

• Nose–Initially herbaceous with aromas of heather, wild mint, pinecones, and cedar soon sweetening to reveal notes of cookie dough, sultanas, caramelized sugar, and pine sap. There is a faint hint of leather and spice.
• Palate–Sweet and malty, reminiscent of a cheesecake base with dried apple, mango, and fresh pears. Crème caramel with raisin and Christmas spice.
• Finish –Buttery, full-bodied fruitiness gives way to tantalisingly dry notes of Oloroso.

Tomatin 14 Year Old tasting notes

• Nose– Top notes of fresh peach, mandarin, watermelon, and apple with deeper forest fruits like cherry and blackberry. There’s a touch of milk chocolate and a pop of honeycomb. Notes of clove and cardamom grow in intensity before another wave of fruit.
• Palate–The freshness on the nose has been preserved into a raspberry and strawberry jam, apricot compote, glace cherry, and crystallised ginger. Caramelised figs, prunes and nutty tones are indicative of the rich tawny port that once occupied these casks.
• Finish–A silky texture coats the mouth with jammy fruits and Byzantium spice.

Tomatin 18 Year Old tasting notes

• Nose– Immediate whiffs of VORS Oloroso Sherry; dried apricot, plum, nougat and distinctive nutty tones. Sweet notes of vanilla fudge and cinnamon baked pears are balanced with a faint suggestion of cigar box and leather bound books.
• Palate– A wonderful marriage of Oloroso Sherry and well-aged Tomatin provides bursts of tropical fruit and mellow savoury notes. Incredibly complex with marmalade, cooked apple, butterscotch and granola, cocoa powder and salted caramel all coming through.
• Finish– Full bodied and rich with continued nutty undertones and uplifting orange zest lingering on the palate.

PX Cask 2001 tasting notes 

• Nose– Rich with an intensely sweet opening bringing notes of maple syrup, candied walnuts, prunes and rum soaked sultanas. PX, despite being the sweetest wine in the world, has a way of presenting intriguing bitter aromas like dark chocolate, treacle, espresso and leather. With time, more dried fruit emerges with hints of dried apricot and raisins along with a touch of cinnamon.
• Palate– An incredible mouthfeel, almost chewy, the sweetness spreads with notes of cherry and plum liqueurs followed by golden syrup and Jamaican ginger cake. All of the bitter aromas from the nose make an appearance but always under a sweet guise.
• Finish– This is a bold whisky throughout and the mix of dark sweetness, bitter notes and spice lingers for quite some time.

About Tomatin

Tomatin is located in the Scottish Highlands (near Inverness) and is famous for its portfolio of soft and mellow whiskies, including a core range, a limited-edition range, and a premium archive range (prices range from £35 – £17,500). Tomatin Single Malt is owned by Japanese company Takara Shuzo International: https://www.takara-intl.co.jp/en/

Tomatin has been dedicated to protecting its craft, its environment and particularly its community, which is at the very heart of the brand. Many of the craftspeople working on site have been doing so their entire working lives – all working towards producing a wide range of single malts, beloved across the world.

In 2022, Tomatin launched its new brand platform, ‘To What Matters’ – designed to remind people about the important things in life. ‘To What Matters’ is the latest chapter in the brand’s evolution; a positive call to arms that represents the spiritual DNA of Tomatin – a human belief in what’s truly important in life. The significant moments.

Recognition of the Highland distillery’s craftsmanship continues to grow globally.  In 2022, Tomatin was awarded ‘Scotch Whisky Producer of the Year’ and ‘Outstanding Spirits Producer of the Year’ at the International Wine & Spirit Competition. Later that year, it was recognised as ‘Sustainable Distillery of the Year’ at Whisky Magazine’s Icons of Whisky 2023, in recognition of its continued contribution to sustainably at the distillery.

In 2023, Tomatin’s Legacy single malt, part of the core range, was awarded Gold at the International Wine & Spirit Competition. It also took home seven awards at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, while Cù Bòcan, which is produced at the distillery in limited batches every winter, took home three. Later that year, Tomatin’s 36 Year Old single malt was recognised as ‘Best in Show’ at the SFWSC, officially making it one of the best whiskies in the world.

GLEN SCOTIA

ICONS OF CAMPBELTOWN

THE MERMAID

70cl | 12 Year Old | 54.1% ABV

This is the first in a new series from Glen Scotia, which takes inspiration from icons on the Campbeltown market cross. Glen Scotia’s whisky is shaped by its coastal climate, and whether real or just the result of a dram too many, mermaid sightings along the Kintyre coast are an unnervingly reoccurring theme, especially in the 1800’s when distilling in town was growing to new heights. To mark this first release, a subtly coastal, floral and delicate unpeated twelve-year-old single malt whisky has been chosen and finished in Palo Cortado sherry casks – a rare choice almost as special as mermaids.

£89.95

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TASTING NOTES:

NOSE
Rich, mellow and slightly drying. Maritime salt crystals, boat varnish, edible seaweed. Thick fruity tarte tatin, Dundee Seville marmalade and tablet toffee.

TASTE
A creamy texture, lightly sweet centre palate glazed with French apple tart and a pinch of salt.

FINISH
Long and warming with a savoury aftertaste and spicy finish.