Taster

Nose: Some really intriguing herbal notes, with a bit of heather honey, soft sage and tarragon, alongside dark dried fruit.

Palate: The herbal notes continue here and take control. There’s a hint of salty grilled pork, with caramel sweetness and prunes.

Finish: The dark fruit notes and oak spice linger, with a peppermint hint of freshness.

Comment: This took a little time to warm up for me, but it comes into its own on the palate and into the intriguing finish.

Score: 7.9

Taster

Nose: Cucumber, celery, white grape and jasmine. Yeasty bread dough, sugary vanilla sponge and almond nougat. Gentian liqueur and juniper berries. Heather honey, malted milk and banana milkshake.

Palate: Full and tingly. Fruity and floral, like Suze (gentian liqueur) mixed with grape juice. Chamomile and tart, under-ripe apricots. Seville orange marmalade. A creamy, bready note underpins it all.

Finish: Long and zesty.

Comment: At first, the nose was uncharacteristic of Scotch, but it became more familiar as complexity unfolded.

Score: 8.6