Taster

Nose: Fabulously complex with malt in varying degrees of sweetness and intensity. Apples and kumquats offer a mixed and fruitiness that lightens it.

Palate: Dry and oak start. Sweetens as the malt kicks in.

Finish: Long and malty with the heavier, silky tones clinging to the roof of the mouth. The oak returns to add extra dryness and weight.

Comment: A charming and excellent single malt offering untold complexity in the layers of flavours.

Score: 9

Taster

Nose: Lightly oaky. Hint of brown sugar.

Palate: Slightly syrupy. Honey. Butterscotch. Butter. Vanilla. Crème brûlée.

Finish: An almost spritzy, crunchy, toasty dryness.

Comment: The earlier, and less expensive, of two millennium bottlings. In this one, the emphasis is on first-fill bourbon barrels.

Score: 8