Mindful woodland walking

The initial nose was nutty, earthy and woody, like walking mindfully through a forest – tree bark, hazelnuts and apples; we also agreed on marzipan, chocolate and hazelnut spread, and crème de cassis. The palate was both ultra sweet and seriously spicy – pleasant chocolatey sweetness (crisp-shelled chocolate drops, chocolate and fondant eggs) with some balancing gooseberry jam and orange zest tartness; then the spicy element conveyed ginger beer and chilli heat, with a whack of oak on the finish. The reduced nose suggested spice markets, old telephone poles and pencil shavings, macaroon bars and candied ginger. The palate now tingled with liqueur and cherry chocolates, and rum and raisin ice cream.