Taster

Nose: Tight and shy to begin, fragrant oak, sour fruit, boiled sweets. Camphor, tobacco leaf, rubber and tar. A green oak-like character and a touch of cardamom. Water makes it smokier and spicier.

Palate: Soft, the oils counter the alcohol. Oak, herbal heather, Turkish delight, sweet corn, cinnamon, nutmeg, tobacco, tar, wood smoke. Even a drop of water doesn’t tame its visceral character.

Finish: Hot, herbal and intense. So woody it’s like sucking on a piece of green oak soaked in alcohol!

Comment: It’s a love or hate whisky and I love it.

Score: 9.3

Taster

Nose: Strong smoke and new car furnishings, which develop to smooth, but rich notes of Pedro Ximenez sherry. Raisin, dry woodiness, angelica root and wormwood.

Palate: The brilliant, bold notes from the nose continue. There’s also a sweet, earthy smokiness that is complemented by complex wood notes.

Finish: A softer version of the organic smoke from before, dry sherry, leather, bonfire smoke; light, sweet maltiness.

Comment: A hearty whisky with a delightful balance of sweet, savoury and smoked notes; a perfect candidate to revisit and explore time and again.

Score: 9.7