Taster

Nose: Sultanas, oranges, a little metallic and solventy. Needs a long time to unfold. Peaches and pineapple, coal dust (a hint), with raisins and apricot jam.

Palate: Restrained, hidden beneath metallic notes. With time comes sultanas, olive oil, grapefruits, melon and lemon juice. Gentle toffee notes, but there’s not a lot going on.

Finish: Short, sweet, oily, but the flavours vanish leaving some woody warmth.

Comment: It’s blunt and there’s something not quite right about the spirit underneath it all.

Score: 7.5

Taster

Nose: Initially a little yeasty, fresh dough and warming bread. A touch of wet leather and dried fruit, apricots and coconut. There is a subtle smoke note lurking here as well.

Palate: A mixed bag of fruit, citrus notes and a little coppery note. Some black liquorice sticks and flaky buttered pastry Eccles cakes.

Finish: Plenty of sweetness here, but it doesnot hang about. Slowly dries with the oak taking over.

Comment: A good drop but just feels like it's lacking something to make it stand out.

Score: 7.9