Taster

Nose: Resinous. Pigskin and wax cut with a slightly metallic note. Angular. Underneath there’s some farmyard notes: wet straw, slightly musty.Chalk with water, then milk chocolate.

Palate: Nagging heat and also an unresolved battle between spirit and cask. Gingerbread to the fore. Better with water where the waxiness comes through.

Finish: Slightly hard.

Comment: It’s good, but can’t help thinking it might be better as an 18 year old.

Score: 7.4

Taster

Nose: Spirity. Has the nose of a young whisky. A bit sharp.Nice honeyish tone. Beeswax and a floral hint. Touch of mint. Vanilla and fruit slowly emerge. Loses its sharpness as time goes.

Palate: Deceptively smooth and round. Then a bitter oaky grip sweeps up all sweetness.

Finish: Dry, bitter, dusty.

Comment: The nose improves with time but the palate is quite brutal. Water enhances bitterness. More a medicine than a nice drink for me.

Score: 7