Taster

Nose: Orange peel and ripe melon, mango, vanilla pod. Hot sawdust, coconut/hazelnut, wax polish.

Palate: Honey, nutty oak, cooked orchard fruits (Crème de pêche, black banana). Caramel toffee, oak, bracken, malt, dark chocolate. Superb balance.

Finish: Very complex fruits with a spicy tingle.

Comment: Takes time to open but worth the wait. The complete package and arguably the best.

Score: 9.3

Taster

Nose: Perhaps a touch more vanilla sweetness than the 12 Years Old.

Palate: Altogether 'bigger' in the mouth than its younger stablemates, but slightly more citric and winey.

Finish: Mellow, cooked fruits.

Comment: This is getting difficult, but the 12 Years Old still just edges it for me.

Score: 8.3