Taster

Nose: Polished oak, apricot jam, candied lemon, and sultanas. Plum wine and Amalfi lemon. Delicate lily pollen and orange blossom. Toffee sauce over buttermilk pancakes.

Palate: Medium. Juicy orchard fruit – fresh Pink Lady apples and pears – at first, before sweet puff pastry twists with raspberry jam emerge. A little cinnamon sugar on wholemeal French toast.

Finish: Medium. As the fruit fades, a subtle almond note emerges.

Comment: An easy drinker that will have wide appeal.

Score: 8.1

Taster

Nose: Sweet and herbal, like rosemary caramel. Touches of heather honey and plump raisin. Woody clove, cinnamon, and a hint of sawdust. Tart apple and redcurrant, and a hint of vanilla buttercream.

Palate: Full bodied. Dark chocolate-coated oaty biscuits and black coffee. Very light tart berry notes. The herbal notes remain but are muted. Cinnamon returns as chai latte syrup, with a hint of pecan.

Finish: Long, on caramelised pecan and fresh mint.

Comment: The cask influence was certainly felt, but nicely balanced.

Score: 8.1