Taster

Nose: Oak essence. Lightly perfumed with some boot oil, mint, varnish, waxed twine. Hint of tablet, smoke, a maritime breeze but seems faded.

Palate: Very intense, very oily. Some soft fruit in the peaty ashes. Fragile.

Finish: Heather root and ash.

Comment: The oak has enveloped what was there before.

Score: 7.5

Taster

Nose: Restrained sootiness. Good oak extract.

Palate: Spun sugar. Vanilla. Raspberry and apple pie.

Finish: Crisp, refreshing.

Comment: Enough tannic bite to suggest considerable age, but a remarkably youthful freshness.

Score: 8.8