Taster

Nose: Warm and inviting, if not a little spiritus. Cherry spiced rum. With water, cinnamon and nutmeg give way to over-ripe plums and quince cheese.\n

Palate: Sweet black tea with an undertone of dark charred wood, some allspice and \nmore over-ripe plums and figs. This needs water to deliver a truly balanced palate.\n

Finish: Too aggressive without water but lovely and fruity when diluted down.\n

Comment: Perfect to pair with cheese, but make sure you have some water handy.

Score: 8.5

Taster

Nose: Intense, herbal-coffee Oloroso. Taut citrus goes head to head with the prunes and orange conserve. With time some balsamic treacle, tea leaves and iron notes appear.

Palate: Dry, the treacle adding sweetness but the bitter tannins and alcohol make it very austere. Quite herbal and coffeed with dried fruit and stewed prunes.

Finish: Intense and alcoholic but the sweet treacle offsets to an extent allowing the big Oloroso fruit to linger.

Comment: Classy and blemish free but, as I’ve said before, this isn’t my preferred type of whisky.

Score: 8