Taster

Nose: Pears in cider with custard and chocolate, rich and sweet. Leaf mulch and a sweetness of spun sugar. Oak comes through with a carpenter’s lathe, fresh oak, toffee pennies, leather seats.

Palate: Very gentle, but fruits start to emerge, honeycomb and a toasted oak, coconut macaroons. Then spice starts, a little tannin.

Finish: Gentle, soft and spice laden, some of those fruits (mainly apples and pears) come through right at the end.

Comment: Like being in a vintage MGB GT. Seriously easy drinking but depth if you look.

Score: 8.5

Taster

Nose: A Devonshire boy goes on a tropical trip. There's a hit of perry, enjoyed on a grassy hill. Finished a little musty.

Palate: Fruits come to the fore, but if you were expecting just cider orchards, you're in the wrong hemisphere. Think coconuts and other tropical delights. Still a nudge of oak, rather than palm trees.

Finish: Surprisingly gentle after that hit of fruit. We are right back in the orchards!

Comment: Quite lovely. There's something homely about this one, but still has a few surprises up its sleeve. Well balanced.

Score: 8.8