Taster

Nose: Filled with wood-derived aromas. Sherried, oaky, sulphur, singed wool. Meaty, oily.

Palate: Sherried(!). Some sweet, oily spirit struggling to free itself from the oaky clamp. Water loosens the grip a little.

Finish: Oak.

Comment: A shame. Pulteney is a weighty enough spirit to cope with European oak. Not this time though!

Score: 7

Taster

Nose: Raisins, citrus peel, smoke. Mince pies in front of a log fire. Black bun.

Palate: Marshmallow maltiness. Treacle toffee. Long, slow flavour development.

Finish: Hefty sherry.

Comment: The hug of sherry is soporific; the saltiness a stinging reviver. A morning run in Wick; a gale in John O'Groats.

Score: 8