Taster

Nose: A bit breakfast-like at first, with wholemeal toast and Colombian coffee. Clementine segments. Rich egg custard tarts and syrupy figs. Pine nuts and butterscotch.

Palate: Medium bodied. Dried fruits soaking ready for a fruit cake. Juicy orange notes, and dark chocolate truffle.

Finish: Medium, with orange oil and chocolate-covered peppermint creams.

Comment: Delightfully dark. Would lend itself well to an Old Fashioned, I feel.

Score: 8.4

Taster

Nose: Battered chicken with sweet-and-sour sauce. Pear drop, beeswax, honey water, fresh green apple and camphor wood. Dark chocolate, cedar and coffee cake with butter icing. Wood sap and autumn leaves underfoot.

Palate: Light-medium bodied. Coffee and roasted chestnut. Fried mushroom with butter. Beef with pears, orange and clove. Nutmeg latte and almond biscotti. A touch hot; water helps open and tame it.

Finish: Long, on the fruit-and-meat notes.

Comment: Goes to unusual places for Scotch whisky, but well worth the journey.

Score: 8.4