Taster

Nose: Evocative. Sweetshops. Mint. Liquorice.

Palate: Sherryish. Smooth malty. Nutty. Creamy. Very gentle oily smokiness.

Finish: Firm. Toasty balancing dryness. Hint of salty coastal whisky. Again, all very restrained.

Comment: The Grouse enthusiast who tastes this vatted version will be seduced by it. The aromas and flavours suggest malts from the company's own distilleries – and perhaps a little more Highland Park than last year.

Score: 8.3

Taster

Nose: Attractive, fragrant and honeyed depth: notes of heather, gorse/coconut, madeira cake, honey, cinnamon and some grassy and smokey touches.

Palate: Slightly dry start then softens mid-palate where all teat honeyed, cakey, ripe fruitiness reappears. Good mouthfeel and balance.

Finish: Ripe silky and sweet.

Comment: Discreetly complex but go easy on the water. It's easily drowned.

Score: 8.8