Taster

Nose: Rounded, rich and elegant with a lightly charred nose. Burnt raisin, light prune, fruit cake with a hint of clove, walnut. Good concentration.

Palate: Well-rounded. A sweet, mellow quality with an intriguing burnt edge. Beech nut. Very soft and subtle with gentle, deep plummy fruits. Starts slightly muted, then the flavours are slowly revealed and keep building. Subtle and elegant.

Finish: It is, isn't it? Treacle toffee and cold tea.

Comment: Old and gentle with a broad smile.

Score: 8

Taster

Nose: Swimming pools, grass, mint toffees, sulphur (French bangers), mud and wax.

Palate: Woody with complex underlying sweetness and nut character. A touch sour and burnt (roasted pork), but with syrup to balance it.

Finish: European tannins and lots of nuttiness.

Comment: Surely a finish, but I couldn't quite place the influence, despite it having the malt in a half-nelson. Curious, but I liked it.

Score: 7.8