Taster

Nose: A slightly disconcerting aroma of air freshener but it blows off. Peach and apricot hand soap, then more tropical fruits: mango, passion fruit, papaya and five spice.

Palate: Maple syrup flavoured with strawberry, peaches and cream. Five spice rub on a ham and some hickory smoke. Herbal, woody notes develop of sage and rosemary.

Finish: Medium weight, and becoming more gentle.

Comment: The initial nose is off putting but stick with it.

Score: 7.9

Taster

Nose: An unusual nose of cider apple, cinnamon and berry fruit. Hints of herbs, smoky oak, violets, stem ginger and an almost wheaty note. The coffee/ caramel oak begins to dominate.

Palate: Milk chocolate coated toffee, herbal spice and some dark rye-like notes. The cider apple is noticeable along with a touch of roasted almonds, coffee. Very intense and unusual with building gritty tannins.

Finish: Long and very herbal with that rye-like note lingering and a chocolaty after-taste.

Comment: Wine cask (Merlot) finished Colorado Whiskey. Now that is unusual!

Score: 8.9