Taster

Nose: Intense, complex, elegant. Ripe and dried fruit. Almonds, raisins and apricot. Beeswax. Old leather. A touch of earthy peat.

Palate: Smooth and sweet. Satin-like. Perfect balance with the nose. Oak is melted into fruit.

Finish: Long, spicy with this delightful elegant oak character.

Comment: A beautiful dram. But it would have delivered even more if it had been bottled at 43%.

Score: 8.2

Taster

Nose: Mature and lightly fungal to start. Touches of orange pith and green grass, then hessian and real heathery smoke. Honey and peach.

Palate: A lightly smoky entrance and then the veil lifts to allow apricot, honey and a waxy feel.

Finish: Fades slightly into light smoke.

Comment: Though I miss Gold at this age statement this is a worthy replacement with a little more overt Walker characteristics: smoke and a sherried grip.

Score: 8.4