Taster

Nose: Big deep sherry notes. Cough medicine. Dried fruits (prunes,figs, peaches and pears) in syrup.

Palate: Rich,satisfying,complex. Spicy fruit cake.

Finish: Like the endless warmth left by Victory V's.

Comment: Wonderfully balanced. A stonker of a fireside dram.

Score: 8.7

Taster

Nose: Rich sherry,marzipan,sweet berries, Christmas mince pies.

Palate: Pure class! Marachino cherries, almonds,nutmeg,melon,tangerine.

Finish: A procession of fruits from cherry to ripe melon and eventually to apples. Long and lingering.

Comment: By definition vatted malts are designed to iron out blemishes but rarely rise above the good or very\rgood. This is exceptional not just against this competition but in any categoryof whisky. Outstanding.

Score: 9