Taster

Nose: Warm sourdough bread with plenty of dark marmalade, thick cut orange zest, apricot jam, Big Red chewing gum and lemon flavoured jelly.

Palate: The spices that were lurking on the nose start to grip, cinnamon, clove, all spice and ground white pepper. Sweetness of honeycomb and chocolate-coated raisins, chilli honey and grilled pineapple.

Finish: Sweet and packing a decent spice punch that lingers on for a while.

Comment: Lovely use of sherry here creates a moreish drop.

Score: 7.9

Taster

Nose: Raspberry jam, cigar wrapper leaf, coffee, marzipan, furniture polish, pencil shavings, blackcurrants, liquorice allsorts, with some subtle bergamot and citrus zest.

Palate: Milk chocolate and cinnamon, cranberry and raspberry cordial, clove and ceylon tea — the flavour and the tannins. A touch of cashew, too.

Finish: Sweet, with gentle tannin. Ends on that nutty, spicy note.

Comment: A stand-in for dessert.

Score: 8