Taster

Nose: Transports you to the pubs on Islay. A classic, comforting nose of lemon, lime, honey, oatcakes, sea spray, TCP and treacle, along with some lily and coconut.

Palate: Charcoal sticks and bonfire smoke against vanilla, lemon juice, heather, ash, black pepper and a soupcon of honey, all enjoyed in a Himalayan salt chamber.

Finish: A beach bonfire smoulders, having been put out with sea water.

Comment: Interesting. Peat is high – you could be chewing on sticks of charcoal. Lacks sweetness to balance things out.

Score: 7.3

Taster

Nose: Classic Islay notes: citrus, runny honey, warming tarmac, hot damp stones all wrapped up with black treacle and smoke.

Palate: Smoke dominates. Up-front hits of tarry rope, wood fires and a decent amount of coal tar soap. Reveals its gentle side of citrus and golden syrup.

Finish: Lingering, like a night after a cigar. A teaspoon of salt as the smoke settles.

Comment: A good example of a decent Islay whisky. Big, bold, smoky, but that ball of smoke does tend to dominate everything. For the peat-heads.

Score: 8.2