Taster

Nose: High alcohol. Good character, scented grass and fresh herbs. The comes barley sugar and currant leaf. In time there’s apple.

Palate: Sweet with a good rounded feel. Cherry, caramelised fruits, cooked plum. Water lightens it. Caramelised fruit some cooked plum.

Finish: Big hit! Ripe.

Comment: Somehow manages to be light in character but deep in weight.

Score: 7.8

Taster

Nose: Spicy and fruity. Gingerbread cake. Mince pies. Overcooked plum.

Palate: Crisp and spicy. Very concentrated. All the spices are infused. Cloves, ginger, chilli, pepper. A tangy feel on the tongue.

Finish: Dry, slightly dusty with the spices lingering.

Comment: A true warmer up. Even a readymade toddy… and a definite winter germ buster of a dram. Certainly comforting when the wind howls around the house.

Score: 8