Taster

Nose: A heady mix of antiseptic and damp woodland moss, smoked salmon and crispy cooked bacon, brown bread and honey sweetness. Beef searing on a skillet.

Palate: Full on smoke, wood bonfires. A white pepper prickle and huge dried chilli spice. Water softens, sweetens up and mellows that chilli. Smoked seasalt too.

Finish: Dries on seaweed and some great tannin notes. The saline edge cuts through and dries too.

Comment: Like doing first aid in a damp forest – a stunning, lovely whisky.

Score: 9.2

Taster

Nose: Smoke and lots of it. Seaside bonfires, grilling salty fish. A vegetal note, freshly picked coriander. Sourdough and a little pepperiness right at the back.

Palate: A really well executed continuation of the nose. Is that a blue cheese note? Medicines and pear drop sweets. Becomes fruitier than might have expected, but this freshens everything up.

Finish: Empty tuna tins. Oak lingers.

Comment: One heck of a dram. You know where you are with this one and will not want to leave.

Score: 8.8