Taster

Nose: Robust. Leather saddlery. Molasses.

Palate: Firm. Deep. Very malty-tasting, yet assertively a bourbon. Malt-loaf. Cookies. Raisiny.

Finish: Rummy. Powerful. Soothing.

Comment: A huge whiskey. Put together with style and sophistication, but still with all the robustness of a true bourbon. A classic, of course. A Clint Eastwood of whiskeys.

Score: 8.8

Taster

Nose: Big, fruity and complex. Ripe dark fruits: blackberry, prune, wild honey, caramelised fruit, leather, chocolate. Luscious and beautifully balanced.

Palate: Big, no, make that huge. Ripe, treacle, chocolate mousse, with a lift of rose petal/violet high. Thick layers of honey and nut and balanced spicy oak.

Finish: Long and complex.

Comment: This is what great bourbon is all about. Languorous, rich, elegant and powerful.

Score: 8.8