Taster

Nose: Plastic. Nail varnish remover. Fades to black tea and honey. Apricots. Sultanas. Tobacco ash. Cooked vegetables. Toffee fudge and salted caramel. Takes time to become approachable.

Palate: Curiously mealy and brackish. Ashy, with bitter tannins and black tea. More balanced with time: olives, sunflower oil, all spice. Resinous, linseed oil on a willow bat.

Finish: Short, oily, with fresh fruits clearing away rapidly. The brackish quality returns.

Comment: A curious beast. I’m not really sure what’s going on.

Score: 6.8

Taster

Nose: Initially strong acetate, almost feinty. Opens to a world of fruit cake, cheese and chilli honey. Plenty of condensed milk and pear drops too.

Palate: Olive and cheese breadsticks, an interesting gentle smoke note and then lots of wood notes coming through. Hints of oatcake and butter.

Finish: Swift and finishes with that buttery note.

Comment: Once the nose develops you have a very easy and simple whisky.

Score: 7.1