Taster

Nose: Malty, biscuity, with plenty of hops and vanilla. Becomes increasingly herbal and vegetal with time. Pouring honey and dried tea. Traces of buttermilk. Sweet tobacco.

Palate: Much like the nose, the maltiness is more apparent, and slightly ashy; creamy fudge, salted caramel chocolate. Assam tea with honey. Perry, with dried apricots, kiwi fruit and vanilla.

Finish: There’s lots of warmth, perhaps too much ginger, black tea, tobacco and tannins.

Comment: Well-made spirit at the core, but a little unremarkable.

Score: 7.8

Taster

Nose: A cup of warming malt-drink, sweet and creamy. Some oak vanillins come through and a touch of Latika tobacco. Very milky Chai tea-esque.

Palate: Follows on from the nose with the barley sugar element getting stronger. A little smoked sea salt and agave syrup. Some fruits slowly appear at the end.

Finish: Long and warming. Spices and creamy malt too.

Comment: An intriguing number. I loved all the maltiness, but wanted a little more spice to it.

Score: 8