Taster

Nose: Dusty, leafy, dry with a hint of sweetness, all the signs of ex-sherry butts. Walking into a warehouse: all fungal, earth and clinker. Shifts into leather and dark chocolate. A little distant.

Palate: Mix of savoury and sweet. Bruised fruits, walnut, treacle, Sumatra coffee, tobacco (shop/moist pouch). Firm grip. Splits with water.

Finish: Grippy.

Comment: This is decent, just slightly dull.

Score: 7

Taster

Nose: Mint toffee.

Palate: Treacle toffee. Bittersweet chocolate.

Finish: Oily. Praline with angelica filling. Slightly resiny.

Comment: Rich flavours. A chestnut-coloured whisky for people who like very grown-up sweetmeats: Marron glacé, for example. Unlikely to be enjoyed by anyone younger than the whisky.

Score: 8