| Rich Howard | a light, gentle nose with oak furniture, warm buttered toast, apple skins and red apple, very subtle vanilla and just a touch of honey in the background. the palate matches closely with a nice oakiness, plenty of apple and a handful of cough drop herbs on the finish, not very sweet at all. with a drop of water, the nose blossoms with a lot more apple and plenty of orange citrus now, warmer and sweeter. the palate is sweeter as well, with plenty of orchard fruits and toasted spices, that touch of honey, still some drying wood tannins, but the herbal notes are gone. summary: a fairly gentle and austere dram, with plenty of orchard fruits and quality oak. opens and sweetens nicely with just a drop of water. [tasted blind for the 2011 Awards] |
