Taster

Nose: Fragrant and floral, orange pith too. Huge heady waves of damp earth, harvest fields, also a little cough syrup. Leather boots.

Palate: Burnt toffee, bitter dark chocolate, cherry menthols, fragrant candle wax, dark treacle, wood shavings.

Finish: Astringent, drying with cinnamon sticks and spices.

Comment: Wooded and a bit of a bruiser, but works on many levels. One for the sherry heads.

Score: 7.8

Taster

Nose: Huge bold sherry cask notes, a distinct rancio note, turned earth, mossy wet autumn leaves and pine sap. Fortunately this one lacks that unfortunate, swift descent into a woody grave.

Palate: Bone dry and most definitely woody, but this expression has juiciness in abundance: fresh Morello cherries, mint humbugs, wet wool, molasses and flat cola. The dryness is kept.

Finish: Lingering anise, cassia bark, dried sour cherries and liquorice.

Comment: Direct and blunt, but with the right amount of intelligence and personality.

Score: 8.4