Taster

Nose: Dry, lean and woody. Fairly phenolic. Water shows the wood, but also sugared almond, cigar smoke/cedar.

Palate: Has honeyed sweetness and good weight. The smoke dominates the back palate. Perfumed but dry.

Finish: Smoky.

Comment: A pretty phenolic example. Lacks the complexity and harmony of the Adelphi bottling.

Score: 7.5

Taster

Nose: Smoke very restrained. Fragrant, spicy.

Palate: Lightly syrupy. Clean. Teasing, gentle, dexterous interplay of sweetness and smokiness.

Finish: Slightly starchy. Musty.

Comment: Needs water to open it and release some of the drier flavours. A gentle expression of Highland Park. I missed the bigger dimensions of the distillery bottlings.

Score: 8.5