Taster

Nose: Pick n mix. Fudge and marshmallow, gummy bears, bon bons and lumps of coal. Spring blossom and bright orange fruit.

Palate: Fizzy texture. Vanilla, marshmallow and caramel gives way to a sticky green hop funk, plus some cured meat. Barbecue smoke drifts in, carrying notes of grilled chicken drumsticks.

Finish: Barbecued meat and beer. What more could you want?

Comment: This goes from nought to 100 in two seconds. One minute it’s vanilla softness, the next it’s gutsy and funky.

Score: 8.4

Taster

Nose: Very light and estery. Green apples, with that ever-ubiquitous mild vanilla. Bananas, lychees. Pear drops. Geraniums Grapefruit juice. Biscuits. Then it’s all reduced to esters.

Palate: The spirit here is voluptuous, but the flavours are not forthcoming. Creamy, slightly bready. A grassiness, and plenty of green leaves. Pepper. Let’s say it’s subtle.

Finish: Short and peppery, with Granny Smith apples.

Comment: A case of average casks? There’s a lot about. A shame, as the spirit’s sound.

Score: 7