Taster

Nose: Primal but not raw nose of dense, herbal Oloroso sherry with hints of crushed grape, mint, thyme, heather, berries and a touch of wheat flakes. Water brings out some mocha notes.

Palate: Full, clean, Oloroso sherry with dried prune, walnut, treacle and neat masking alcohol. Water makes it a little homogenous.

Finish: A little bitter with herbal spirit notes coming through to reinforce youthfulness. Dilution mitigates a little of the bitterness and emphasises the spices.

Comment: It’s a young sherry monster, which could have come from anywhere.

Score: 7.9

Taster

Nose: Spiced honey, fruit-filled flapjack, juicy raisins and coconut. With water, more jammy notes are revealed, like strawberries ‘n’ cream sweets, vanilla, and Pedro Ximenez sherry.

Palate: Warm and intense, with rich notes of fruit cake, raisins, and brandy butter, as well as a more sour fruitiness.

Finish: Complex and dry sherry and wood notes, with a slightly chalky texture.

Comment: Robust and complex, packed full of dark fruit flavours. Good to explore with water (and maybe a slice of fruit cake), or in cocktails like a Rob Roy.

Score: 7.5