Taster

Nose: After the initial alcohol hit, it settles into bold spices, cinnamon, clove and roast chillies, then it moves into fresh oak. Apple pie and custard. A little caramel chocolate sauce.

Palate: Chocolate-coated peanuts and raisins. Dried coconut, golden syrup and turmeric-soaked oats. Toasted maple syrup, a little bacon meatiness and vanilla-laced coffee grounds as well.

Finish: A huge fruitiness develops with lemon zest. Spices flow in and then slowly dissipate.

Comment: Take your time over this one, and think of bluegrass fields.

Score: 9.4

Taster

Nose: Dark and rummy, with piles of sticky raisins, dried berries and baking spice. Treacle toffee and maple syrup drenched over a steamed vanilla sponge pudding.

Palate: A thick, sticky texture rich with molasses, treacle, cinnamon and dark chocolate. It’s a bit too fiery without water, which reveals fruits like dried morello cherries and blackberries.

Finish: Dark and sweet with plenty of spice.

Comment: A monster of a Bourbon, it turns to the dark side of the flavour spectrum.

Score: 8.5