Taster

Nose: Dazzling complexity; light yet softly smoked, with both youthful grassy notes and heavier, richer ones. A treat.

Palate: Rich, faintly honeyed malt tones, underpinned by smokiness. The fruitiness is faint but essential to the complexity.

Finish: Dry malt and gentle peat take equal and alternate stage. Some lovely cocoa notes on the finish.

Comment: Balvenie has long been a favourite, and this expression is sublime. A riposte to any who claim that all Speysiders are much of a muchness.

Score: 9

Taster

Nose: Orange-honey perfume. Musky, faint hint of peat.

Palate: Honeyed sweetness drying to lightly spicy notes. Very lively. Just a hint of sherry.

Finish: A tingly, almost aggressive, surge of flavours, with lingering, syrupy honey.

Comment: The most honeyish of Speyside malts?

Score: 8.5