Taster

Nose: A teasing mix of sweet/sour oils. Camphor, varnish, rich oak. Hugely spicy. With water there's nuts, shaved wood and flamed orange peel.

Palate: Intensely spicy, a firm grip and mouthtightening tannins overtake surprising sweetness. Scented lemon, dried rose petal.

Finish: Long wonderfully bitter. Rye!

Comment: Rye is a love or hate thing. I happen to love it. I usually prefer my ryes young, this works.

Score: 8.5

Taster

Nose: Vibrant explosion of vanilla, turpentine, banana, pot pourri. Behind these top notes there is an autumn leaf and fermenting grass character.

Palate: Parma violets, burnt lavender, and oak.

Finish: A woody bitterness and burnt rosemary.

Comment: Way, way too much maturation for me.

Score: 6.8