Taster

Nose: Sweet straight up front. Then candied almonds, coated in hard sugar, caramel toffee chews, those Dutch honey syrup wafer and milky coffee. Then the oak begins to take hold with tannins and spices.

Palate: More fruit comes through, overpowering the oak. Apples, poached pears and runny honey. Tarte tatin – that caramalised sugar edge. Grows spicy towards the end with nutmeg and cinnamon.

Finish: Rich with vanilla cream and spice wafting about. Very morish.

Comment: A liquid apple pie, just ask for more.

Score: 9.1

Taster

Nose: Swing back a few months, untangle the lights and put that Christmas tree back up. Sweet, spices and a little oaky. Vanilla, caramel and a touch of honey completes the Christmas cake.

Palate: The Christmas cake continues. Stewed raisins and sultanas, with honey up front. Oak spice then grabs you by the shoulders and wakes you up from your festive fondle.

Finish: Rich, as the festive spice returns.

Comment: Good, straight forward Bourbon, that surprises a little – there's nothing not to like about this.

Score: 8.4