Fragrant, perfumed tropical wood notes like Malaysian agarwood incense sticks combined with ripe tropical fruits as well as burnt oranges and lemon tart made this a really fascinating nose. The taste was just like a glass of well-aged Sauternes or Tokay wine or indeed a Brandy de Jerez Solera Gran Reserva.

If you so wish add the tiniest drop of water and the aroma becomes a little ashy, rum and raisin fudge with some antique wood polish and to taste a little more oily and resinous with hints of candied orange, oak and hazelnuts. After thirty five years in an ex-bourbon hogshead we transferred this whisky into a 1st fill Oloroso hogshead.