Taster

Nose: Sultanas and mixed peel. Prune juice, and a hint of smokiness. Blackberry and apple cumble, with some stem ginger. Liebkuchen and christmas cake spices.

Palate: Apricot jam, dark chocolate and a good shake of gingery spice. Bath Oliver biscuits.

Finish: More of that smoky woodiness.

Comment: A sophisticated, spicy dram with oodles of class.

Score: 8.8

Taster

Nose: A glossy kind of nose: ripe fruits, polished oak, oolong tea, roasted cereal and cocoa nibs. With water a delicious deep fruit cake note.

Palate: Soft, slow, silky with a slightly syrupy quality and firm oak. Water smooths things. Manages to be sweet with treacle toffee weight.

Finish: Shifts to chocolate and fades. Elegance.

Comment: Beautifully calm and seamless after the rugged attack of the Laphroaig.

Score: 8.3