Taster

Nose: Like walking through a field of uncut barley. Dry grass, popcorn kernels, and spicy cinnamon. Charred oak. Fresh red apple, ground clove, and caramel sauce. Touches of leather and tamarind.

Palate: Light bodied. Raspberry and apple cordial. Crème de cassis, syrupy prunes, iced cinnamon buns, and caramel macchiato coffee. Hints of grilled mushroom, old leather, and sappy pine.

Finish: Medium, on prunes and sticky toffee sauce.

Comment: A well-tempered whisky with some pleasant mature characteristics.

Score: 8.3

Taster

Nose: Milk chocolate, malted milk powder, whey powder, blackberry jam, caramelised pear, dried cranberry, and rum-raisin ice cream.

Palate: Medium. Grippy black tea tannin and concentrated red fruits: barberry, blackberry, and cranberry. Espresso made from fruity unwashed arabica. Toffee and passionfruit. Water opens it up nicely.

Finish: Short and drying. Ends with sweet black Ceylon tea.

Comment: Hot and feisty, but complex and pretty well balanced.

Score: 7.9