Taster

Nose: Hot and spicy nose, big peppercorns, jalapeño peppers, and red chilli. Some lavender and pine on the nose as well, adding to a very strange mix indeed.

Palate: The lavender is most prominent, with some curry spices and cardamom. Thick and viscous, it also has some notes of blood orange and pomegranate.

Finish: Some bittersweet notes (the blood orange comes to the front), and a spicy, rye bread hint.\n

Comment: A good balance of flavours, I’d be happy to drink.

Score: 8.5

Taster

Nose: Very coffeed and herbal with an almost wheat darkness. Hints of prune, walnuts and 90 per cent cocoa powder. Chocolaty but vibrant with hints of perfumed barley and honey.

Palate: Dusty, tannic and quite chocolaty with hints of raisinated fruit. Although the alcohol is quite hidden on the nose, it isn’t on the palate and the tannins bitter too. Water softens but makes it less interesting. \n

Finish: Surprisingly sweet with date, prune, raisins and a touch of rose petals and bittering oak.

Comment: Ideally it needs a drop of water but then you lose that lovely intensity.

Score: 8.7