Taster

Nose: Homemade Victoria sponge filled with fresh strawberries and a dollop of vanilla cream. White chocolate shavings. Then nail varnish remover, pear and playdough.

Palate: A little closed here, more like lemon curd. Toasted brioche, fennel, chopped pistachio and chilli heat really ramping up, leaving more playdough.

Finish: Sweet chilli spice and dry playdough sees out the finish.

Comment: The nose had a lot of promise, but the palate became quite closed and hot – maybe could do with a little more time in the cask.

Score: 7.5

Taster

Nose: Fragrant, floral honey. Lily of the valley and apple cordial. White grape juice and elderflower, with fresh ripe pear.

Palate: Medium bodied, but a little hot. Intensely fruity and cordial-like, with orange oils and lime juice. Water brings out marshmallow sweetness and peach syrup, but does not tame it.

Finish: Hot and fruity, fading on candied apple.

Comment: This has all the building blocks of a great whisky, but needs more time to mellow out.

Score: 7.9