Taster

Nose: Furniture polish, ‘biblichor’ (old books), coal dust, sweet balsamic, charcoal, blackberry preserve, black cherries, and subtle spearmint leaf. Underneath, delicate sweet worts.

Palate: Medium. Quite tight at first, with moderate tannin. Water opens slightly. Tart red berries, dark chocolate, raspberry leaf tea, and burned sugar. Takes a little water to open it up.

Finish: Medium. On crisp red apple, followed by salted almonds

Comment: Cask forward and a touch punchy for my taste.

Score: 7.9

Taster

Nose: Mossy forest floor at first. Sweet tobacco smoke. Coffee and walnut sponge. Chocolate-coated raisins, freeze-dried raspberries, and kirsch. Buttery caramels. Hints of straw, peppery spice, and porcini mushroom.

Palate: Medium-full. Dark chocolate ganache, heavily roasted coffee beans, and a hint of cigar smoke. Raisins, fresh raspberry, and black tea with lemon. Dark caramel and a pinch of ground ginger.

Finish: Medium-long. Cocoa-dusted truffles, raisin, and subtle walnut.

Comment: Powerfully flavoured.

Score: 8.1