Taster

Nose: Maple syrup, strawberry jam. Malted milk biscuits. That maltiness lingers in an earthy, vegetative sort of way. Sandalwood. Slightly musty and yet perfumed. An oddity.

Palate: Mealy, curious. Weetabix. Pouring honey. Soreen Malt loaf. Fruit cake. Raisins and figs, with some redcurrants, cloves, all spice and ginger. Malted milk biscuits.

Finish: Short, winey, with the malt loaf returning - and just a touch tannic.

Comment: It’s a bit all over the place, though it remains very pleasant indeed.

Score: 7.9

Taster

Nose: Barley sugar sweets, icing sugar, drying sherry notes. Spicy with pickled peaches and sandalwood. Then red apples dipped in brown sugar, salted caramel popcorn.

Palate: That lovely spice prickle from the nose is here, fermented plums. Salted caramel. Plenty of sherry notes, not quite a bomb but more of a creamy and gentle beast.

Finish: Swift but then sweetness follows after it.

Comment: All roads lead to gentle lovely sherry, big, rich and morish. One for autumn.

Score: 8.9