This was an absolute enchantment – attractive, balanced, vibrant and full of interest. The nose had banana toffee, crème caramel, cinnamon swirls and butterscotch; with additional hints of fresh wood, apricots, porridge and antiseptic. The palate echoed that sweetness (chocolate, fudge, custard creams) but also found undertones of tobacco, Fisherman’s Friends, spiced rum, nutmeg, orange peel and sugar-coated fennel seeds.

The reduced nose added crystallized ginger, demerara, iced caramels and vanilla. On the palate – coffee and walnut ice-cream mixed with understated muscle rub – easy-drinking, complex and relaxing. After 32 years in ex-bourbon wood we transferred this to a 2nd fill toasted oak hogshead.