The nose was something of a contradiction – ‘old’ impressions of polished floorboards in antique bookshops, old paint cupboards and mentholated snuff – yet with fresher elements of stewed apple, mandarins, toffee, carnations and peppermint. Water brought out honey and lemon toddy notes and freshly baked Eve’s pudding. The palate was fascinating and very tasty – mouth-coating sweetness of toffee apples and caramel apple granny cake with a dry finish of flowers, humbugs and tiger balm. Panellists were yakking away – fair enjoying the mellow easiness of it – as sweet as a Scotsman’s Snickers; satisfying as a butcher’s blade. From George Smith’s 1824 distillery.