Taster

Nose: Leather armchairs. Sherry. Spices. Mustard.

Palate: At first, sweeter than I remember. Then maltiness and vanilla. Then smoky dryness.

Finish: An eruption of pepper, ginger and allspice.

Comment: Deceptively gentle at first. I have on occasion been completely led astray by what seems to be mildness of this whisky, then taken on a journey of rediscovery. I find new flavours every time.

Score: 8.8

Taster

Nose: Complex, ripe and fruity nose: peat, nutmeg, vanilla, baked apple and raisin over a peat fire. Water brings out peach, heather and a crisp maltiness.

Palate: Sweet to start, syrup, white pepper, orange blossom honey, peaty bass note. Very ripe and chewy. Moves silkily into every part of the mouth.

Finish: Long rich smoky

Comment: The benchmark. Unconvinced by blends? Try this.

Score: 9.5