Taster

Nose: Intense. Rich oak. Smoky. Phenolic. Tar, liquorice. An earthy touch. Wet straw. Farmyard. A sweeter note on time. Mint toffee. A hint of walnut.

Palate: Smooth at first then dry and smoky. Quite a big whiff of smoke. Bacon Sherbety. The alcohol bite numbs the tongue.

Finish: Dry, smoky, warm.\r

Comment: A strong phenolic profile framed in solid oak. The alcohol is not totally mastered. Adding water brings out bitterness.

Score: 7.8

Taster

Nose: Full-on BBQ pork, a touch of medicinal bandages and smoked nuts liven up the senses first. Some drying woodiness follows up next.

Palate: Big hitting coal dust, chargrilled meat and then a sweet Demerara sugar brings out the detail. The smoke is bold, but not cloying.

Finish: Wafts of medicinal peat and seasoned oak.

Comment: Nicely done. Campfire sing-songs all round. One for a chilly night at Glastonbury.

Score: 8.1