Taster

Nose: A 'chewy', spicy nose with some cocoa, orchard fruits and a hint of flowers (lily), crème brûlée and dried leaves.

Palate: A sweet start, then caramel, but the tannins and grippy oak. The driest of the range. Some peat, earth.

Finish: Softens for a second and gets a spark of juicy youth pop out.

Comment: Great nose, firm palate. Wood dominating a little.

Score: 8.3

Taster

Nose: Keeps to itself initially, then fudge and candyfloss notes prevail, with fresh floor polish.

Palate: Austere, quite dry for an instant, then lots of life bursts though. Bubble gum, lemon, brittle toffee.

Finish: Lengthy and sophisticated. Less bourbon influence and fewer negative wood factors here.

Comment: I was wrong! This is infinitely better.

Score: 9