Taster

Nose: Intense, slightly sharp. Fruity. Chalky. Pear drop. Ripe apricot. Nail varnish.

Palate: Smooth at start then becoming sherbety. Cooked fruit (apples and pears) soon covered by dry oakiness.

Finish: Oak gives it tangy feel and some astringency. Walnut peel aftertaste.

Comment: Less sweet and fruity on the palate than the nose led you to expect. The balance is not there. Water makes it more bitter.

Score: 7.3

Taster

Nose: Decent intensity with vegetal (wet banana leaf)/green plum notes. Tropical notes mixed with dry hay and flowers. Hint of toffee and crisp oak. Slightly acidic, yet sweet.

Palate: Direct with decent grip. Finer in character than the 12 with similar levels of sweetness but this has more toastiness and better length. Silky.

Finish: Sweet. Toffee crisp.

Comment: This is best neat. Shows a clean progression of flavours.

Score: 7.3