Taster

Nose: Immediate sherry character. Floral and muddy, like river mud perhaps, and lots of dark fruits. A little sourness, like green Bramley apples.

Palate: Raisins, cherry liqueur chocolates, and fermenting grass.

Finish: Rich, and slightly burnt fruitcake.

Comment: Big cask character, with spirit style just poking through. The spirit seemed at odds with the cask perhaps.

Score: 7.5

Taster

Nose: Solvent and beeswax. Then ripe red apples. Custard and pastry. Some menthol in there, too. With water, linseed oil.

Palate: Oily. Dark toffee. Burnt pastry. A really expensive pain au chocolate. With water, more cocoa and some ginger. Nuttiness?

Finish: Rich, sustained, dark, again faintly charred. Slightly burnt brandy snaps?

Comment: More than a nod to fine sherry wood. Elegant and self assured.

Score: 8