Taster

Nose: Needs lots of time to open in the glass. Maderia cake, oak, cigar smoke and rumbling peatness.

Palate: Starts with a mix of scented, but sooty peat smoke (like inside a kiln) dry wood, rooty flavours.

Finish: Long, smoky then softening.

Comment: A grumbly bass-note blend but it all seems slightly muted, as if the blanket of smoke has dampened things down.

Score: 7.5

Taster

Nose: Scorched earth. Brimstone and treacle.

Palate: Sweet. Firm, crunchy, maltiness. Hard cream toffee, then peanut brittle. Salted peanuts.

Finish: Salty. Peppery. Sweet mustard. Long, with repeated bursts of warmth.

Comment: Tasty, satisfying. Linger over it. It opens up after a long time in the glass.

Score: 8.3