Taster

Nose: Red wine and spicy sherry. Cinnamon, clove, and orange curd. Fresh blackcurrant and underripe cherry. Hints of sour cream and hot mash.

Palate: Medium. Malty fruitcake, with rich dates and baked figs. Vanilla-flecked Chantilly cream and toffee sauce. Hints of Armagnac and lemon juice. Multigrain hoop cereal. The fresh fruit notes brighten to raspberry.

Finish: Medium-long, on raisin and walnut malt loaf.

Comment: Delicious. For a fortified wine cask lover who wants some extra oomph.

Score: 8.7

Taster

Nose: Raspberry and blackcurrant fromage frais, toffee sauce, tamarind, delicate gingerbread, and burnt brown bread.

Palate: Light-medium. Toffee cake, baked red apple tart with lots of brown sugar, roasted pine nuts, wholemeal bread, and smoked butter. Subtle citrus peels and a herbal note of rosemary and thyme.

Finish: Medium. A sweet and creamy coffee note emerges.

Comment: Cake and coffee – can’t go wrong with that.

Score: 8