Black Heron is Waqar's darker twin - richer, deeper, and more brooding. It uses the same meticulous Muscat grapes, but with longer fermentation, greater extraction, and a bit more muscle from that higher ABV. If Waqar is daybreak, Black Heron is sunset - glowing, complex, with a touch of drama.
The nose is intense and layered. Muscat florality is still there - white rose, honeysuckle, ripe grape - but now it's backed by golden raisin, orange peel, and sweet hay. There's also a touch of crushed almond, chamomile, and tropical spice - imagine mango skin dusted with mace and ginger.
The palate is lush but structured. Grape must and stone fruit dominate the entry - ripe nectarine, green fig, melon rind - before giving way to savoury and spicy tones. Bay leaf, crushed fennel seed, candied citrus peel. The extra alcohol gives it heat, but not aggression - it fans out, warms the chest, and carries the flavour.
The finish is long and herbal, with echoing sweetness and florals trailing like the wake of a heron in low flight. It's more contemplative than Waqar. Smoother, but also more serious.
Serve neat, slightly cool - not cold - in a tulip or white wine glass. Or build a stirred pisco cocktail that leans on dry vermouth and white bitters. It's a bottle that deserves quiet attention.
