Taster

Nose: Rich, oaky. Chestnut, warm melted chocolate, ripe dates. Cedar. Tobacco leaf. Hint of mushroom.

Palate: Round, smooth. Slightly watery at midpalate but regaining life. Oak prevails in a gentle way. Dried fruit and stewed apples.

Finish: Medium, smooth. Liquorice.

Comment: A pleasant autumnal dram. Good balance, a bit tottering on the palate. But that can be forgiven.

Score: 7.8

Taster

Nose: Peaty. Smouldering fish boxes, fish heads, heather, ink, meat. Mature and complex. Mixing the harbour and the beach. Good weight.

Palate: A lovely balance struck between dried soft fruits, damson like sweetness and the heathery smoke.

Finish: Long. slightly leathery.

Comment: Cutting this to 40% means it's lost some of its energy. Let's have a cask strength version!

Score: 8.3