Taster

Nose: Smoke on top of an earthy/oily attack. Impressive with huge oak extract. Water reveals the youthful edge, but so what? This is about maximum effect.

Palate: Full-on and takes no prisoners. Coffee, coal smoke, black cherry and earth.

Finish: Rich and long.

Comment: This hits the palate like an angry drunken fisherman swaggering into Tobermory’s Mishnish Hotel. Uncompromising and rather impressive.

Score: 8.1

Taster

Nose: Peaty, phenolic. Creosote, farmyard, bonfire. A floral note. Parma violet. Tobacco leaves. Toasted (nearly burnt!) bread. Hint of sulphur.

Palate: Sweet at start and quite smooth. The alcohol is quite tamed. A surprising sweetness mingling with a sooty dryness.

Finish: Dry, sooty, spicy.

Comment: That young lad is not as fiery as the alcohol strength would lead you to expect. Straight forward but clean. Sherry influence.

Score: 7.8