Samurai takes no prisoners

The initial nose cuts like a Samurai blade – clean, elegant and impressive – chalky soft mints, menthol, orange pith and brine; behind that there is something aromatically earthy and intriguing – lavender, truffle oil, prunes and coal dust. The neat palate takes no prisoners – burnt and smoking heathery hillsides, herbal muscle rub and marmite – but also delivers joyful sweetness – candyfloss, heather honey, balsamic glaze over goat’s cheese and walnuts. The reduced nose discovers ‘enigma variations’ of gorse flowers, fruity shisha pipes, bandages, bog myrtle, carbolic and fresh laundry. The palate combines medicinal notes with leather, Korean rice crackers, squeezed limes and peat embers.