Tastes

Nose: sweet tropical fruit (reminiscent of some rums), savoury notes, a bit of peat smoke Palate: prolongs the nose, with bright juicy tropical fruit nicely balanced with peat and a buttery malt Finish: short to medium, mostly peat but with quick peeks of ripe cooked fruit An easy, mellow, smooth dram. It's nothing exceptional but it's still very fair, and makes for a nice drink at the end of a long day. The kind of whisky you should stock for everyday use, cocktails, and informal enjoyment among like-minded friends.

Nose: wood smoke and medicinal camphor, with a hint of honey and tobacco ash Palate: peat, tar, robust smoked fish, something vanillic and sweet Finish: medium, with quite a lot of wood smoke A bold whisky with a massive presence. You cannot drink this absent-mindedly; it will command your attention in a way few other drams do. It can be a bit polarising, but whether you usually enjoy the Islay style of whisky or not, it's impossible to deny it's a masterful creation. Taste it at least once - and be ready to fall in love.

Nose: baker's chocolate with hints of vanilla. Very pleasant and enticing. Palate: vanilla and chocolate again, but the proportions are reversed. The vanilla is luxurious and spicy, very much the taste of fresh vanilla seeds out of the pod. Beautifully rich and smooth. I also get a kind of tart, juicy brightness not unlike redcurrants. Finish: medium, with a wisp of smoke woven through cooked damson plum. This is where the Bourgogne influence is most clear. A delicious, complex dram that is sure to please both beginner and amateur, and an absolute steal at that price point. I am not typically a fan of whiskies finished in wine casks but I thoroughly enjoy this one. Before you drink it, take a second to appreciate the beautiful ruby tinge to the whisky.

Nose: slightly balsamic honey, sweet spices - very reminiscent of certain modern takes on Oriental perfumes (Camel by Zoologist comes to mind) Palate: classic bourbon, with sweet corn and honey Finish: not very long, mostly oak It's not an amazing bourbon, but it's fine - an honest working horse. At that price point you'd be hard-pressed to ask for more. Very good in most bourbon cocktails.