Taster

Nose: Tangy oranges where grass once grew.

Palate: A surge of spicy oak yields little to the malt.

Finish: Over roasted, almost bitter coffee but then softens for the highlight of the experience as the oak and mild liquorice offers a long, lingering and, at last, balanced, finale.

Comment: I think I remember a 25 year-old Cardhu of far better charm and balance.

Score: 6.8

Taster

Nose: Sweet. Hint of hessian. Very peaty for a Cardhu.

Palate: Sweet. Malty. Toasted marshmallows. Quite mouth-filling.

Finish: Liquorice. Tangerines. Crystallised lemons. Syrup. Late surge of sherbety spiciness.

Comment: They made bigger, peatier whiskies in those days.

Score: 7.8