Taster

Nose: Heather at first, and then the smell of freshly rolled parchment. Some elements of tweed or woollen jumpers on a damp spring morning.

Palate: There is a note here which nods in the direction of a distillery close to the river Spey, but the sweetness and heather this delivers means it could be from any number of high class Speyside distilleries.

Finish: A slight bitter note but the winner is warm shortbread.

Comment: A lovely example of Speyside Scotch Single Malt.

Score: 8.8

Taster

Nose: Generously proportioned with mashed banana, toffee, crunchy honeycomb, apricot and fig. An almost Manzanilla-like oxidised fruit note along with a light herbal note.

Palate: Full and generous. Less complex than the nose due to the voluptuous toffeed oak, but some tart citrus balances and hints of barley, banana and apricot come through.

Finish: Long, crisp, austere and almost grainy or Irish pot still-like. Interesting!

Comment: A pretty entertaining dram. I certainly wasn’t expecting that finish!

Score: 8.4