Taster

Nose: Estery with pineapple, apricot, tangerine and banana. Plenty of mentholated herbs, iodine and grainy oak follow. With time hints of dried fruit, liquorice and earth.

Palate: Soft and lightly honeyed with malt, barley and coffeed tannins. Woody on the middle with the mentholated herbs coming through along with iodine and salt.

Finish: Short. The combination of alcohol and tannins hammers the finish. Although it has a pleasant, lightly smoked after-taste.

Comment: Lovely nose. The oak has its wicked way with the palate.

Score: 8.1

Taster

Nose: Warm, intense. Autumnal. Toasted chesnuts. Apple and pear compote. Then toffee and rich walnut and coffee cake. Pastry-like. Marmalade.

Palate: Smooth and silky. Elegant oakiness, well integrated. More stewed fruit. Hint of liquorice. Dried apricot and sultanas. Complex and refined. Gingery.

Finish: Lingering with a spicy oakiness.

Comment: A superb dram. Complex, elegant. It fits so well with the season. Bring it to your Christmas table.

Score: 8.9