Taster

Nose: Wonderful sweetness of Eton mess, white chocolate, parma violets. Eggnog.

Palate: More of the white chocolate, this moves from simply a bar of the stuff to those small, post-dinner truffles served with coffee, popular in the 80s. Velvety smooth, just enough spice to give the sweetness an honest plaything; well balanced.

Finish: Delicate, sweet, vanilla custard.

Comment: Sweetness and light, this is well matured and well rounded and highly entertaining. Summery? Yes. But well worth sipping in the other three seasons as well.

Score: 9.1

Taster

Nose: Lightly phenolic with herbal accented peat and hints of elderflower, toffee \nand citrus.

Palate: Soft and caramel flattened. The caramel is probably natural but it flattens nevertheless. A sliver of lime appears but there’s not much happening here apart from the oak!

Finish: Soft and oaky (surprise!) with some light peat smoke and a touch of citrus as the spirit breaks free of the oak shackles.

Comment: Far too much oak. The spirit never stood a chance.

Score: 7.2