Taster

Nose: Kendal Mint cake, brown sugar and dark chocolate. Huge sherry notes. Chocolate coated cherries. Dark toffee sauce over chocolate soufflé. Ginger cake with molasses, treacle tart.

Palate: Sherry, black cherry, blueberry pie and a touch of manuka honey sweetness. Dark toffee and ginger spice edge. A little bitter oak lurks too. Tea tannins and Earl Grey in the pot.

Finish: Big with all those spices, then starts to dry with autumnal leaves.

Comment: Approaching the sherry bomb territory. This should have a place in your drinking repertoire.

Score: 8.8

Taster

Nose: Kirsch cherries smothered in milk chocolate, pine sap and sandalwood shavings with dried apricots and banana skin. Star anise and melted Strathdon blue cheese.

Palate: Bold tones of Nutella and roasted figs on a cinnamon bagel, then torched pine needles, grated nutmeg and ginger. A hint of barbequed sweetcorn to finish.

Finish: Rich and leathery with hot spices lengthening the finish.

Comment: The embers from last night’s bonfire consisting of a fir tree and banana skins.

Score: 8.6