...plunder rises to greet our nose, as our treasure come forth in wooden chests. Peppery fudge unknown to us soon gives way to dark chocolate with a scattering of salt and chili flakes. Dried spice lies within there too, all wrapped in dried seaweed to keep away from the harsh elements. As we venture forth to the beach we are struck with the scent of salt waves driven hard against the shore, and we find one more reward nearby...
...charcoal, underlying spice of nutmeg, tobacco and grilled fish. The creeping fog we saw before soon becomes a blaze of toffee, eucalyptus ash and coffee grinds warming the heart and soul, becoming your palate into the flame, biting a still melting marshmallow from a burning stick regardless of the consequences. Dark chocolate jumps out to accompany a bitter and spicy mouthfeel...
...but has a firm woody background that allows us to over see these treats; caramel cubes, raspberry bonbons, lemonade jelly beans and a distinct hint of E150 dropped lightly over everything. I kept thinking to myself that it was artificial, but that wasn't a bad taste to my surprise. It kept up with a merry smile, and was quite pleasing. The finish is long, quite sweet, and gains clarity...
...Marzipan, creamy soda, raspberry cough drops, the apples come back and are joined by some roasted carrots, although the mouthfeel is less cool and smooth and more hot and spicy, and soon that taste becomes more apparent, while our opening was sweet it is overcome by salt water taffy, Chinese 5 spice and clove rocks...
...musty leather bound books and the interior of an old Aston Martin DB5, regal yet rugged, built for purpose but with a design that screams classic and sophisticated (a whisky any Bond would drink)...
...a merry wee fire of cherry wood shavings smouldering away in the corner, and the heat of a furnace billowing merrily about the dram...
Drawing the eye with the colour of torch lit amber, the dram started large with a roaring Christmas cake, soaked with brandy, heavily buttered rye toast in the background and a melting Terry's Chocolate Orange sitting atop the feast.
