Taster

Nose: Rich gingerbread, chocolate, honey, then poached fruit with a hint of Christmas pudding.

Palate: Velvety, luscious thick honey with hints of fruity mulled wine, apricots, sloes, then butterscotch and dark chocolate.

Finish: Créme brûlée, fruit with spicy oak garnish.

Comment: Inhaling provides 'aroma-therapy, ' while the palate shows that mixing the grape and the grain can be thoroughly rewarding and risk-free.

Score: 7.8

Taster

Nose: Floral (Ivy flowers) at first then heading to heavier scents. Caramelised walnuts, cloved orange. Toffee.

Palate: Sweet and sour, then bitter. Bitter orange juice, unsweetened coffee. Close to astringent.

Finish: Dry with an oaky grip. Quite sweetly lingering but the wood bite does not give up.

Comment: Rather unbalanced. The nose is far more promising than the palate. What's the point of the finish?

Score: 7.3