Taster

Nose: Spicy, toasted rye bread with plenty of butter, sesame and caramel biscuits dusted in cinnamon and chilli powder. A faint metallic note. Gun stock oil. Christmas spices too.

Palate: Everything from the nose rolls in together, a wonderful oily, spicy mix. Sweet and salty popcorn, apples layered with fudge sauce, hazelnuts and cacao nibs.

Finish: Punchy, and a little more punchy with a serious rye pep in there. Great balance of spice and sweetness.

Comment: Bring on the Manhattans please.

Score: 8.6

Taster

Nose: Reminiscent of a Polish bakery with its heady aromas of freshly baked rye bread and ginger snaps. They’re also selling gleaming, sticky toffee apples studded with anise.

Palate: Medium spice. A black pepper, cinnamon and anise-spiked buttered caramel drizzled over baked red apples and pears. The spice builds.

Finish: A crescendo of spice, followed by rum ‘n’ raisin fudge.

Comment: Lots to like here – well balanced and sweet with enough spicy rye edge.

Score: 8.9