Taster

Nose: Red fruits dominate, before earthier liquorice root and oatcake comes in. A metallic copper character is in there.

Palate: Lovely rich body. Caramel sauce, dehydrated raspberries and milk chocolate ice cream, barley crumbled on top. The dying embers of a bonfire in the background. Bizarrely I get sea salt-dusted padrón peppers.

Finish: Salty, yet rich cereal notes.

Comment: I’m not sure where those dominant fruit aromas went, but they were edged out by those richer notes. Still a good drop.

Score: 7.9

Taster

Nose: A tart little thing. Redcurrants, tomato ketchup, strawberry jam. A dash of cider vinegar. Fades to wine-notes, then eventually raisins and sultanas rise up.

Palate: The core flavours are a little blunt – caramel, plum jam, prunes, nutmeg – but it’s undermined by coarse wood. Pleasant yet assertive, with a medium-weight texture.

Finish: Woody, with balsamic vinegar before returning to that sharply acidic and tannic quality.

Comment: Not the most elegant dram in the world, but it has moments of charm.

Score: 7.7