Taster

Nose: A veritable fruit bowl: apples and pears, peaches, nectarines and pineapples mix with powdered ginger and orris root. Fabric conditioner and nail varnish remover.

Palate: Interesting powdery texture, turns fizzy. Pineapple, unripe nectarines, apple compote with cream and pine-tree sap die away until you’re left with buttered warm wholegrain bread.

Finish: Medium in length, with the brown bakery characters sticking it out.

Comment: A slalom of a whisky – unexpected twists and turns.

Score: 7.5

Taster

Nose: Exotic curiosity. Peaches and mango juice, dried apricots, jasmine and sauternes. Sultanas and crushed green tomatoes, nutmeg and ginger. Elegant.

Palate: More maltiness showing through, which is a shame. Ends up too chewy and cereal-like. Ginger shows, with tannins, apricots, coriander, sultanas and honey.

Finish: Long undertone of sultanas, too peppery, woody. Average at the end.

Comment: First impressions were strong, the romance fizzled out. We’re just good friends.

Score: 7.5