Taster

Nose: Of course there is a big spice hit, pepper, chilli powder and dry soot. Some glacé cherries and candied orange peel.

Palate: Spice again, this time tempered with vanilla and plum jam. Hints of old leather, big oak spice (not grain, rye spice) give this a lovely balance. Not for sipping, for mixing.\n

Finish: Extra big spice but not too much burn. Some dry sweetness.\n

Comment: Ginger, Posh, Sporty, Baby but no Scary. All the spices without the surprise.

Score: 8.7

Taster

Nose: Very chlorinated and herbal with juicy orange, cinnamon sticks, hickory, chunky, toasty and buttery oak. Develops darker, treacly notes but its wonderfully fresh and vibrant.

Palate: Full and juicy with dusty vanilla and buckets of wood shavings. Succulent, spicy, wood rye comes through with a slight herbalness on the middle. Again slightly chlorinated with coffee and hickory notes.\n

Finish: Long and succulent with lingering herbal rye and oak. \n

Comment: Great balance of spirit and wood.

Score: 9.1