Taster

Nose: Old books. Vegetal. Cedary.

Palate: Dryish. Grassy. Then some pleasant sweetness.

Finish: The hit of alcohol and some oaky vanilla help round out the woodiness.

Comment: Despite their lightness, some grains can stand up to long periods in wood.

Score: 6.8

Taster

Nose: Very clean and medium-bodied with a good spiky lift. Dry to start, but in time it gets creamier with hints of light toffee.

Palate: Much softer than the nose suggests. Ripe and chewy with lovely flavours of fresh melon juice, with nutmeg spiciness.

Finish: Bursts into life with gorgeous soft apricot.

Comment: Great contrast; a pretty dry nose, a lush soft palate and that complex finish where it all comes together. Seamless.

Score: 8