Sticky treacle and molasses oozed over Christmas pudding packed with prunes, dates and figs before a generous soaking of navy rum was lit by a single match. An abundance of cinnamon, nuts and dark chocolate caramelized with muscovado sugar while on the palate came star anise, cloves and brandy butter. Rich flavours of coffee, liquorice and plum chutney then merged with cigar boxes and burnt cereals. With water heavy fruitcake was served with rosemary dressed roast lamb and a side of singed blackcurrants, maple syrup and porridge.

The palate had now expanded into almond oil and Brazil nut butter while thick custard arrived with rye bread, burnt ham and grilled black pudding. At 10 years of age we combined selected casks from the same distillery. We then returned the single malt into a variety of different casks to develop further. This is one of those casks.