Taster

Nose: Rummy cake. Hints of banana. Restrained sherry.

Palate: Sweeter, spicier cake (more gingery). Very rich and long. Good balance of dry smokiness.

Finish: Very distinct black treacle. Toasted nuts. Burnt crust on a cake.

Comment: Has matured superbly. I love the interplay of sweet and fruity, hot and dry. The orange colour distinguishes this from Signatory's earlier bottling.

Score: 8

Taster

Nose: Ripe, rich and clean, honey and kumquats take a delicious centre stage.

Palate: Immensely intense, the honey malt has first say before oak crushes all in its path. Miraculously, the malt re-emerges rich, biscuity and better than ever before.

Finish: Rumbling oak after-shocks do little to hamper the honeyed barley. Stunning.

Comment: It has been 20 years since I came across a BA this fine. There is an after life...

Score: 8.8