Taster

Nose: Heavy sherry. Bitter chocolate. Heathery. Leafy

Palate: Very firm. Slightly oily. Good malt background. Nutty. Spicy. Aniseed.

Finish: Peaty. Sappy. Oaky.

Comment: Full of flavour and interest, but the sherry and oak verge on being overwhelming.

Score: 7.8

Taster

Nose: Rich, powerful sherry notes: cake, nut and figgy, pruney fruits, raisin, butter and a charred meaty note.

Palate: Great powerful European oak punch: orange, sweet spices, treacle scones, with some sweet spirit well in evidence. The charred notes give it an intriguing balance. Big, rich and savoury.

Finish: Liquorice.

Comment: Well-balanced. The spirit isn't drowned by the wood and sherry. Macallan fans will love this.

Score: 8.3