Tawny Port + Cognac Casks. Non-chill filtered, Natural colour, Non-age statement.
Appearance: Foster’s lager orange. Many thick quick forming legs, teardrops and a thick rise mark when swirled.
Nose: A lovely ABV hum initially, followed by icing sugar, lemon bonbons, crunchy nut cornflakes, forest fruit pie and subtle baking spices.
Palate: Not an overly oily mouthfeel. Slightly thin. Initial flavours are a bit confused and, well, weird. As the flavours settle there’s orange peel, a mild chilli tingle on the tongue, eucalyptus and a bitter note too. After a few sips, there is an emerging mellow custard note that balances the dram slightly.
Finish: Short to medium in length. Rhubarb and custard, black pepper and cinnamon. Blood orange bitterness lingers longest.
Overall: Hmm, I really want to love this, I like it, but don’t love it. Creation 3 is a wonderful dram and superior to this in basic flavours and balance. This is very pleasant but not a knockout like its sister.