Tasting Panel Notes

The Panel stepped aboard a seasoned fishing trawler, where oily ropes, grease, tar and briny sea spray clung to the deck. Kipper smoke rose from a distant chimney and mingled with notes of pickle juice and green olives from a crew member’s lunch. Time delivered touches of milder smoke and a bag of barbecue briquettes, ready to be lit. The first sip summoned more brine, diesel rags, lemon zest and green apples, before further smoke drifted over charcoal-grilled honey ham and capers. With water, one Panellist visualised a freshly beached dinghy steaming in the afternoon sunshine, as the flavours developed into citrus zest, orange cordial, and then herbaceous notes of basil, pepper and artichokes. The finish was lengthy, with established notes of waxy lemons, salty sea air and enduring smoky brine.