Nose: Sweet. Apples, pears, honey, green grapes, pineapple, vanilla wafers. There’s a floral note and a decent amount of new oak. If the label did not state IPA Cask Finish I’m not sure you could pick the influence. The apple and honey are more intense with water added plus rose petals.
Palate: Lots of juicy fruitiness. Oranges, pears, apples, pineapples. There’s the honey and vanilla plus a touch of sawdust. Some well balanced warming spices, also some oiliness to the mouth feel. No real switch up or down with water added. Medium bodied.
Finish: Honey, oak, grilled banana then some green apples skins. The warming spiced make a come back on the finish with some water added.
Last Word: I like what Mars has done here. Finishing casks are often sink or swim for me and this one swims. Better balanced than the Chichibu IPA Cask Finish that was overwhelmed by the cask influence.

Rating: 87/100