Taster

Nose: Rich and intense. Sour fruit. Cranberries. Cedar wood. Cigar box. Orange marmalade. Kumquat. Cherry in eau-de-vie.

Palate: Sweet and satin-like. Surprisingly smooth given the strength. The palate delivers, the nose promises. Chocolate, sour fruit, all wrapped in wood.

Finish: Dry and crisp with a chocolate aftertaste.

Comment: An enticing and well structured bourbon.

Score: 8.2

Taster

Nose: Powerful and spirited, with pronounced spicy cereal, a touch of nail varnish and very subtle vanilla.

Palate: Hot at first (water is definitely needed here) with a lovely peppery dryness, sweet cherries, some parma violet notes, cloves and star anise.

Finish: Those woody spices dominate at first, but a gentler side (especially the vanilla and ripe banana) develop as the conversation continues.

Comment: Quality whisky making here; everything sits nicely and at exactly the right volume.

Score: 8.5