Taster

Nose: Fizzy sweets offset with fruity bitter orange and genmaicha. Honeyed, floral, spicy jasmine sings.

Palate: Plasticky mouthfeel. Big mouthful of flowers – lavender, honeysuckle, jasmine and roses – as if I’m chewing on a bouquet. Chocolate underpins this all, unsurprisingly, accompanied by cardamom and a very pronounced chilli heat, accentuated by the ABV.

Finish: Numbing heat, yet somehow the clear honeysuckle and jasmine notes persist.

Comment: So floral on the palate it almost verges on soapy.

Score: 7.2

Taster

Nose: An impressively floral cherry blossom hit, but with a honey, syrup waffle underneath. Very sweet pastry edge lurks with this, then a gentle lavender drawer liner side comes through.

Palate: Those floral notes come right through on the palate, liquid petals, then an explosion of exotic spice, cardamon, paprika and chilli powder.

Finish: A big alcohol hit, warming, nearly hot. Water brings out the floral notes further.

Comment: An odd, but charming whiskey. Lacks that rye punch and pep.

Score: 7.9