Taster

Nose: More concentrated. Citrus peels, overripe fruit, polished oak. Intense and exotic: rose petals, Turkish Delight, parma violet, nutmeg and cinnamon.

Palate: Tobacco notes, chocolate and coconut. Coffee, heather. A good back-palate whisky.

Finish: White pepper, crystalline ginger. Elegant.

Comment: Maturity, refined rather than OTT. Great to see distillery character retained at this age.

Score: 9

Taster

Nose: Vanilla and caramel, but undercut by something smoky and slightly bitter. A raked over bonfire of autumn leaves.

Palate: Cloves, marmalade and smoky malt are in here, but so is old wood. Spices and honey, brittle toffee.

Finish: The cask is just about held in check by the integrity of The Macallan. A creamy character lingers.

Comment: No further, I think.

Score: 7.8