Taster

Nose: Discreet. Cereals. Butterscotch. Cider apple. A twist of lemon. Quite light and elegant. Autumnal.

Palate: Smooth and fruity. Sweet, a bit too sweet. Apples cooked in oven, a creamy note of caramel sauce. A spicy touch but it is not enough to uplift the softness. Water makes it sweeter and drowns the flavours.

Finish: Drying on oak notes, with a grainy aftertaste.

Comment: Not unpleasant but not much character. And that cereal sweetness is cloying.

Score: 7.3

Taster

Nose: Liquorice (a running theme this month) a swathe of sweet, fragrant smoke, orange segments, ground black pepper and a touch of sweet \rchilli sauce.

Palate: A very tarry oiliness hits first, with bonfire smoke, some hints of sweet wine and plump raisins. A little thin, but the smoke helps to make up the deficit.

Finish: Lingering oak and woody spice round out a medium dry finish.

Comment: Nothing out of place here. Not absolutely classic, but just about there, with a very satisfying smoke balancing the fruit.

Score: 7.9