Taster

Nose: Fresh blackcurrants, peppermint leaf, thyme, and subtle vanilla cake. Muscovado and baked blueberries. Beeswax, too.

Palate: Medium. Slightly waxy. Apple and blackcurrant pie, brown sugar pastry twists, raspberry jam on fruit scone with butter. A little marzipan and glacé cherry. Delicate nutmeg and cinnamon, too.

Finish: Long, on milk chocolate-coated toffee.

Comment: Reserved and nuanced. Belies its ABV. It’s a thumbs up from me.

Score: 8.1

Taster

Nose: Poached pear, vanilla syrup, and almond frangipane. Barley sugar. Danish pastry with apple compote. A sharpness like a white wine-cream sauce. Lemon drizzle cake. A hint of fennel seed.

Palate: Medium-bodied. Iced gems. Hints of liquorice, fennel seed, and coriander seed. Green tea, wholewheat sponge cake, and lime marmalade. White wine and wholegrain mustard.

Finish: Medium-long, on green tea and fresh lemon.

Comment: Achieves a nice balance between sweet and herbaceous notes.

Score: 8