Mephisto 2868

[foxspur]

1dn product of smelting - something aromatic, we hear (6) I have SP?I?S
All help appreciated.

[scorpiojo]

Speiss (spice)

[fiction-factory]

I remember a time when I could never answer a single clue in The Mephisto, and usually couldn't understand the answers afterwards, even when I was more a regular crossworder/scrabble player. But the clues don't seem quite as cryptic now- has there been a change in difficulty, scorpiojo?

[scorpiojo]

I don't think so..some are easier than others

[roslyn251254]

When Paul McKenna is the setter it's somewhat harder. This was one of the other setters and not too bad

[fiction-factory]

Thanks. I definitely couldn't finish a Mephisto but some just seem like standard tricky cryptic crossword clues whereas I never used to be able to get started

[foxspur]

Thank you, scorpiojo. I find the difficulty varies from week to week - possibly there are more "quick hits" than there used to be. But I almost never finish without help.

[scorpiojo]

You're welcome, foxspur.