Taster

Nose: Purple grapes and candied almonds, raisin toast and butter, printer ink and blotting paper and digestive biscuits with soft toasty oak.

Palate: Dark chocolate gentle bitterness with plum compote, fresh red chilli spice and a cayenne pepper kick.

Finish: Long and spicy with lots of fresh red chilli heat.

Comment: Feisty and excitable yet well balanced. A winner for fans of a chocolate and chilli combination.

Score: 8.3

Taster

Nose: Soft and unobtrusive, with caramel sauce, toffee pieces and stewed apples, accented by the odd raisin and sprinkle of cinnamon.

Palate: Gentle again, with notes of warm apple pie, plump sultanas, shortcrust pastry, caramel and vanilla ice cream, all enveloped in a little faint smoke.

Finish: Another helping of apple pie, this time with a singed crust.

Comment: A lovely balance of distillery character influenced gently by the cask.

Score: 8