Taster

Nose: Mature. Crystallised ginger, lemon drizzle cake, chalk, spicy marmalade. Subtle. Needs a drop of water to open into polished oak. Linseed.

Palate: Clean and soft with dried peels. An interesting, strangely exotic quality. Deep.

Finish: Long and spicy.

Comment: Excellent balance given the age - wood hasn't overpowered it.

Score: 7.8

Taster

Nose: Shy, delicate. Spring garden. Grassy. Orange sherbet. Raspberry. Mint lollipop. A briny echo.

Palate: Smooth, gentle at start. Then the alcohol strength breaks out. Iced mint sweets.

Finish: Tangy (even with water), dry. Herbal.

Comment: The nose is very distinguished and floaty. The palate is a bit too assertive because of the high strength. Requires oxygenation and water.

Score: 8.3