Taster

Nose: French toast, cork board and madeira cake. There’s fresh nectarine fruit, sweet green apple skin, vanilla butter icing, fennel, and the inside of my old violin case – rosin.

Palate: Like caramel drizzle over a vanilla sponge pudding. Some sweet ginger chunks in syrup and plywood, with peppery heat. There’s heathery honey and more of the rosin.

Finish: The finish is medium, slightly drying and sweet.

Comment: Really nicely balanced, it’s a slow builder and I really enjoyed that.

Score: 8

Taster

Nose: Quite closed at first. Boot polish up front with brown bready notes and fresh green apple lurking beneath. In time comes turmeric and cumin, walnut liqueur and dark chocolate.

Palate: Light on the palate. Brown sugar syrup and baked red apple. Buttered brown bread crusts, oatcake and roasted sunflower seeds. Opens up with water.

Finish: Medium-short, with more brown sugar sweetness.

Comment: Simple but balanced; an easy-drinking Bourbon.

Score: 7.8