Taster

Nose: Good oak extract and layering effect: vanilla, hard barley sugar, pecan nut, coconut, dried apricot. Lightly oily, cooked custard.

Palate: Sweet start. Nuts and honey. Spreads well across the palate. White chocolate, shortbread, nutmeg, Turkish delight/rose. Excellent length.

Finish: Cereal then raisin and toffee.

Comment: Soft, subtle and not overwooded. Just shades it over the 25yo this time.

Score: 9

Taster

Nose: Fruit and nut toffee, refresher sweets and a lemony sourness. Ginger and spices.

Palate: A burst of complex Oloroso wood and smoky notes, with ginger cake iced with lemon.

Finish: That fizzing rich woodiness lasts long after the maltiness passes.

Comment: Some older whiskies smell great but are world-weary on the palate. This is vibrant with a palate that matches or even exceeds its nose.

Score: 9