Taster

Nose: Has to be coaxed out, but eventually ripe red apples, followed by gentle red fruit tartness.

Palate: Assaults the palate. Creamy but bitter. Everton mints. Sweeter with water. Popcorn?

Finish: Oily, alcoholic, with fennel or even aniseed notes. Slightly phenolic with water.

Comment: A reticent nose is completely eclipsed by a huge but uncomplicated palate. Benefits greatly from water.

Score: 6.8

Taster

Nose: Fruity, with apples and fresh peaches. Something vaguely minty, like Mojo sweets or mint toffees. Grassy, with vanilla in the background too.

Palate: Was expecting more sweetness, but there is a balancing bitterness along with the toffee, mint and grass.

Finish: Brown toast and biscuits.

Comment: A typical and classic aged Speyside, which still has balance between spirit and wood.

Score: 8.8