Taster

Nose: Very interesting. Treacle pudding covered in caramel sauce, then green tomatoes. Toasted brioche and clove, with a hint of salinity.

Palate: The caramel sauce is back, almost like toffee apples. Brioche bread and butter pudding with clove, baking spices, and some salted caramel ice cream.

Finish: Lingering caramel sauce bringing some tang, with the salinity from the nose returning.

Comment: A great journey through whisky’s flavour spectrum. It has complexity and a little fun in there, too.

Score: 8.1

Taster

Nose: Uncooked mincemeat (the boozy Christmas fruit kind) with candied peels. Nutmeg, cinnamon stick, treacle tart, cherry brandy, cedarwood, dried apple, apricot and cinnamon. Slightly herbaceous.

Palate: Medium. Well integrated. Some peach candy. Fruit and nut milk chocolate bar, candied ginger, malted milk, and dried apple. Chocolate-coated brazil nuts. Boozy fruit cake. Allspice. Candied citrus peels in rock buns.

Finish: Medium. Fruity cake and almond.

Comment: Youthful and vigorous, but with the makings of a festive dram.

Score: 7.8