Taster

Nose: Plenty of wood at first, then rich vanilla cream takes over. A fruit salad in the sun, replete with custard and sponge fingers. Caramel coated hazelnuts and black sesame seeds.

Palate: The richness of the cream and fruit salad layers up first, waves of orchard fruits too. Apples and honey. Then the oak tannins start to bite, moves to a slightly darker shade of fruit too.

Finish: After an initial warming from the alcohol this drys out pretty quickly leaving blackcurrant and stewed tea tannins behind.

Comment: A good Autumnal whisky with plenty going on. Certainly one for later in the evening and go easy with the water.

Score: 7.8

Taster

Nose: Bubbling caramel and honeycomb, macadamia nuts, over-ripe, practically squishy strawberries, a little dusty and dunnagey.

Palate: Very dry at first, then the fruits – figs, russet apples and raisins – begin to creep in, vying with oak shavings, Rioja and wood spice for the limelight. Dry and peppery.

Finish: Dry and peppery.

Comment: A decent drop, though there are signs the cask is keen to take over.

Score: 8.2