The nose produced fascinating and weighty aromas – cola cubes, toffee, dark chocolate, treacle, nutmeg, walnut, plums, vintage port and Christmas cake with dark cherries, soaked in rum and Madeira. The palate was mouth-drying but ‘stunning!’ (according to one panellist)  – dark chocolate with cherries, dark toffee apples, tarte tatin, black tea, rum, charcoal and molasses; even an old gym shoe. The reduced nose had tobacco, pecan pie, treacle tart, toasted coconut and brown sauce. Water lifted the palate – leather, oranges, toffee and maple candy – an interesting combination of vinegar astringency and toffee apple juiciness. A rare appearance from this Brechin distillery.