Taster

Nose: Hot apple pie wafts up, vanilla custard and cherry drops. A hint of liquorice adds depth while a drizzle of Golden Syrup helps maintain an oily, yet sweet structure.

Palate: Madagascan vanilla and thyme develop into robust oaky flavours. More apple juice. Water melon comes through for a burst of freshness, seems a matured whisky. \n

Finish: Unctuous, water melon lasting longest, dusted cinnamon on top.\n

Comment: This whisky was pulled at the right time; it won't see another World Cup in cask. On the podium, but not quite punchy enough to take gold.

Score: 8.8

Taster

Nose: Gently phenolic with dense apricot and barley. Faintly briny with lightly oiled orange and earthy peat. In time a crunchy granulated sugar note appears as the peat slinks off!

Palate: Opens with lightly oiled satsuma and pretty astringent herbal notes. Sweet barley and light vanilla try to balance. Intense, mouth-watering middle with a light \npeat intimation.\n

Finish: Reasonable length with a gritty peat smoke and light tannin finish. Tart citrus and green apple after-taste.\n

Comment: A pleasant enough dram. I could have done with a little more intensity.

Score: 7.2