Tastes

What do you know - the vermouth finish produces a rye that smells and tastes like a Manhattan. I haven't yet tried it in an actual Manhattan but for a neat drink I'd rather something that was more spice forward. Here, the aniseed undertones are cut with maraschino cherries.

The nose is unmistakably rye but its honeyed sweetness is more like a sherried Scotch. Lovely long finish with a hint of spice. Goes down far too easy given its strength.

Starts and ends delightfully, with sweet smoky barbecue sauce on the nose and an intense peppery finish. The silky honey inbetween gets somewhat overwhelmed by the spices, but the aftertaste of bacon is rewarding. Sample bought from Flaviar. Full bottle in the mail.

So not worth $2000 a bottle then?

Smooth, creamy, sweet: more Terry Wogan than The Pogues.

Oh, this is lovely. Tamer on the nose than the 10, and sweeter on the palate. There's smoke, to be sure, and a hint of wood, but most of all a long, lingering toffee tingle.

Paid 30 quid to taste the 15 at Boisdale Canary Wharf. A sweet smoky nose that's worth the price of entry alone.

Sultanas, cream soda, allspice. Act 3.1, October 2015.