04/07/2023 Independence Day

StilL 630 15mo 2015/2017 X-7 Mesquite Smoke (50%, OB Experimental, C#15-66, b#177): nose: we have a mix of strongly-subdued torrefied coffee, hard rubber, and industrial glue -- all discreet, integrated, pleasant. Old chewy sweets rise to prominence: years-old Gummibärchen, kept in an unsealed bag, and rightly stale as a result, radial tyres that have crushed berries, stale cuberdons, faded green gum drops, and old candied angelica. It really is not sharp enough to be fully rubbery, nor is it openly fruity; it is instead that unlikely mix that is closest to stale chewy sweets. Deeper nosing unveils some plasticine too, which matches the chewy sweets, I suppose. The second nose feels thicker and richer, almost earthy, or gravy-like. It stops short of savoury, yet one may detect a wine influence, here, or liqueur, perhaps. Warm brown bread out of the oven (ooooooh!) completes the picture. Mouth: there is a clearer-if-fleeting bitterness at play, in a coffee-custard way. It lasts for about half a second, then makes room for Caramella Mokatine. Yes, the texture goes from custard to that of boiled sweets, to flan, in the long run. As for the "fleeting" bitterness, it only fleetingly disappears, and soon comes back, full of mild coffee flavours and metallic spoons (silver?). The second sip adds rising sourdough, a drop of caramelised corn syrup, and a hot moka pot. It is more straightforward in the finish, overtly focussed on mocha and toffee -- picture a crossing of Mokatine and Quality Street's Toffee Penny. Both are soft enough to be inoffensive, and the result is all the better for anyone not enamoured with coffee. A gentle bitterness lingers, be it metal, or dried herbs, and complements the undeniable sweetness one could also detect in a Mokatine. Simply do not think it tastes sugary, because it does not. The second sip has Bourbon Cream biscuits, and more mocha-infused toffee. It is a long and comforting finish, all in all. Although dialled down, the afore-mentioned bitterness draws one back for more! 7/10 (Thanks for the dram, JS)