Taster

Nose: Gorgeous Christmas pudding notes, with lashings of sherry, raisins, orris, almonds and cinnamon spice.

Palate: Right back to the festive notes, but now the addition of an orange and almond polenta cake, gratings of milk chocolate and sherry-filled raisins.

Finish: The chocolatey note lingers on the finish, becoming bitter and rich with time.

Comment: I’m a big fan of the way bitterness is used to complement the sherried notes on show here. It stops it being sickly and keeps it very tasty.

Score: 8.5

Taster

Nose: Sweet balsamic poured over very ripe strawberries. Camphorwood and dried rose. Heather honey and caramel sponge cake. Pistachio ice cream and coffee-infused fudge. Condensed milk and vanilla essence.

Palate: Full. Black forest gateau, milk chocolate Florentines, glace cherry and candied orange. A pre-light draw on a Nicaraguan cigar. Subtle lemon curd and marmalade notes.

Finish: Long. A medley of sweet chocolate and citrus oils.

Comment: Complex. Highly enjoyable.

Score: 8.6