Taster

Nose: Though strong, there’s no great burn as the vanilla and corn fat has enveloped the alcohol. There’s milk chocolate, trifle sponge, clotted cream, coconut and tablet. A slight leafiness and sawdust with water which brings out a (needed) firmness.

Palate: Big oak influence, wood oils sweet with some chocolate and black cherry but always sweet.

Finish: Apricots.

Comment: Deliciously drinkable.

Score: 8

Taster

Nose: A slow to come fruity note. Apples cooked in caramel. Demerara syrup. An artificial sweetness coming through. Hint of tar.

Palate: Sweet and so rummy. Caramel, Demerara sugar. Hot spices.

Finish: Burning, dry.

Comment: I can’t believe this is a whisky. Has all the profile of a cheap heavily caramelised rum. Water stiffens it rather than sweetening it. It brings out more alcoholic sharpness. 29 years old? You’re kidding!

Score: 5.8