Mhoba Umganu 3 Year Old, Brandy Casks (64.9% ABV)

"Umganu" is translated as the marula fruit in siswati, which is indigenously found in South Africa. It is the name given to Mhoba's expression that is aged entirely in an ex-South African brandy cask, and is said to offer notes similar to mezcal.

Aroma
Rich, heady. A combination of vanilla, lime, jasmine, warm cane sugar, aniseed and star anise, the first nose is impressively voluptuous. Allowed to breathe, aromas of white florals (lilac, lily of the valley), green walnut and freshly cut grass fill the air.

Taste
Svelte, lively. The lush (spearmint, verbena) and aniseed attack becomes medicinal (mustard poultice) and lemony. On the mid-palate, the spicy (ginger, clove), liquorice and honeyed (acacia) distillate brings energy to the flavour palette.

Finish
Long, sunny. The start of the finish is wonderfully mineral (slate, schist). Gradually, flavours of lime, lemon balm and fresh walnut refresh the milky (agave) and resinous (cane fibre, gentian root) end of the finish.