Taster

Nose: Maple syrup, cooked sweet bacon and a touch of geranium before lots of lactone, demerara sugar, fudge.

Palate: Immediate butter-fried spices: cinnamon especially quickly followed by camphor. The alcohol here is better balanced, adding a light buzz and energy but also dispersing a range of complex flavours.

Finish: Calms itself down and stretches into the throat with a touch of tobacco.

Comment: A palate bourbon. Subtle, complex and truly classy. Do not miss.

Score: 9.3

Taster

Nose: Rich, deep. Oak is very present. Cigar box. Antique furniture. A hint of varnish. Damson plums jam.

Palate: Crisp, dry. Astringent. Oaky. A musty flavour. Earthy. Mushrooms. Sharp too. The alcohol bites and then numbs the tongue.

Finish: Dry, with a nutty touch.

Comment: That bourbon is too pungent and one dimensional. Oak is overwhelming and the alcohol is not mastered.

Score: 7