Taster

Nose: Orange boiled sweets. Burnt scones with butter from the oven. Oatcakes, with honey and lemon curd, before a wet dog walks in from the rain.

Palate: Distinct prickly chilli and pepper spice, honey sweetness and lime and lemon peel. Becomes drier, cereal-like – biscuits and oatcakes. Sea salt, sea air and cut grass bring freshness, while creosote brings smoke.

Finish: Relatively dry, with a subtle yet persistent barley core.

Comment: Cereal, subtle smoke and sweetness… an island dram ticking all boxes.

Score: 8.2

Taster

Nose: Briny, with some simple chocolate and vanilla flavours and dried apricots. Baked apples. Bran Flakes. It settles to bring forth some youth, lemon zest and tangerines.

Palate: Vanilla, apples, with some smoke – woody, rather than peaty – warming things up. White pepper, slightly rubbery. Coffee grounds and sage. Great spirit, though the casks haven’t been kind.

Finish: Briny, smokey, with green tea, grapefruit and honey, bay leaves. A tad bitter.

Comment: Lots of strength, but it feels like youthful posturing.

Score: 7.3