Taster

Nose: Light for a Bourbon and its ABV. Violets and gentle floral notes. Cherries in simple syrup. Full on apple pie develops in time.

Palate: Hot, hot, hot – did I say it’s pretty hot without water, boy that ABV hits. Hot and sweet like mixing big red chewing gum with chillies. Water backs it down and brings out the cherries and sweetness. Jasmine flowers.

Finish: Toffee sweetness and oak creaminess.

Comment: Really needs a drop of water to release the flavour behind the alcohol. Then this shines. Gorgeous.

Score: 9.1

Taster

Nose: Warm buckwheat pancakes, crispy bacon and sweetcorn alongside notes of charcoaled bananas and lemon curd. Super, super, super sharp and sweet with blackcurrant yoghurts and Irn Bru infused tablets.

Palate: Raspberries dipped in lemon sherbet and then soaked in black treacle and pieces of hot gingerbread. Menthol notes of original Strepsils.

Finish: Rich and dense consistency of treacle with the addition of stewed prunes.

Comment: It would almost be worth getting ill for.

Score: 8.6