Taster

Nose: Gala melon, juniper and Ouzo. A clay-like mineral quality. Linseed oil, with an intensely floral nose too. Some sherry-like toffee notes.

Palate: Unusual and difficult to place. Something herbal, possibly burnt sage or even more of that juniper. Some vanilla and fruit toffee.

Finish: Oily, like a cooking oil.

Comment: Very unusual and now knowing what it is, this one was hard to assess blind, as it feels very different to Scotch malt, just as it should do.

Score: 6.8

Taster

Nose: Very fresh and grassy, with some fresh fruit salad and then Crunchie bars. Water brings out graphite and freshly mown grass. Still a little stony.

Palate: Fairly rigid light powdered ginger. Seems a little unformed, as if the constituent parts are still pulling together. Water helps.

Finish: Short, little hard. Young.

Comment: Another nipper. That tropical fruit will develop over time as everything settles down. Like Ballechin, this is one to watch.

Score: 7.5