Taster

Nose: Paper bags full of Cola Cube sweets, an overflowing fruit basket just ripened, fresh liquid yeast and crunchy malt. Develops into an orchard in full bloom.

Palate: The alcohol punches straight off but then gives way to that apple sauce and malty edge. In time more spices emerge, clove, cinnamon and lime zest, peach juice concentrate.

Finish: Doesn’t hang about really, dries leaving plenty of wood tannins and creamy oak.

Comment: Really interesting, manages to hover between sweet and dry, fruit and wood.

Score: 8.2

Taster

Nose: Cherry pips, blossom and maraschino liqueur make this a fragrantly fruity whisky with a touch of rye breadiness and sweet pastry.

Palate: Sweet and fruity to start, with more of that earthy maraschino liqueur, but things quickly turn very dry and spicy. Water alleviates the roughness, giving way to ginger snaps.

Finish: Dense strawberry jam and some rye spice, but as dry as sucking on a wooden spoon.

Comment: Although it’s immensely dry, I imagine this would work well in a Manhattan with those lovely cherry notes.

Score: 7.8