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Morning, all. Agree that was entertaining - and easier once the theme was apparent.
COD was the playful 3D.
Still stuck on two. No idea about 25A despite the crossers. And I think I have 21D (a brand of ale?) but can’t parse it.
Merry Crossword to you all

Ah - just got 21D

Hi BarryC 21d an old Fosters 4X advert I think referred to the ????? nectar. As for 25a I have the answer but not sure how!!!

Hi BarryC 21d an old Fosters 4X advert I think referred to the ????? nectar. As for 25a I have the answer but not sure how!!!

Hi BarryC & Yevrah -

I think 25A is just a double definition, nothing more complicated than that, with the first word one def and the rest of the clue the second conforming with the theme.

Thanks, both

I had trouble with 12d too, primarily because Chambers has the entry as one word, not two.

Thanks to Everyman. Agree with jono's opening post, quick solve but enjoyable (his other points as well).
FOI 4, LOI 25. My COD candidate list had seven clues, will award shared COD to 14, 21 and 23.
Needed Google to confirm my guess for 13.

Relatively large number of hiddens IMO. Off-topic ramble: I was once a regular Times cryptic solver, but haven't tried one in ages (quit when they went subscription-only)...Back in the day, I got the (possibly mistaken) impression the Times had a (tacit?) rule of a maximum of one hidden per puzzle.