Neat and tidy

The Panel consensus concluded that this peated Highlander performed best sans dilution ("Great at full strength," noted one Panellist). The nose offered a gamekeeper's 4WD (waxed jackets, guns, wet dogs and petrol), their lunchbox filled with pastries, redcurrants, prune juice and smoked toffee with chewing tobacco. Warming their hands on the embers of smouldering oak shavings, they also unpacked some bacon fat, eucalyptus, coffee, cake mix, dried spices and burnt brisket ends. The palate served up a picnic of brandy snaps, gingerbread, sherry trifle, fresh mint, white pepper, icing, dates and raisins, with a finish of sweet-smoked bacon bits in oil. (For those with a more masochistic outlook, reduction proved an enemy in this case, although notes of old rope, saucisson, lightly smoked paprika, fruit cake, black tea and tobacco did appear. You've been warned!)