A tired bowl of fruit (including bruised apples and ripe peaches), backed by polished wood panelling, leather books and faded roses, then a scent of mild cheeses (Caboc, unripe brie, white stilton) and Melba toast. The taste reflects some of these scents: sweet, then ‘cheese on a Cream Cracker’. With water the cheese note shifts to full-fat creamy (Laughing Cow), with melon, green banana, peach skin and a hint of chestnut bath oil. Soft and sweet to taste, then faintly fizzy/peppery (Flying Saucers candies, spicy), with a long warming finish and a hint of banana yogurt in the aftertaste. This distillery supplies the heart malt for Ballantine’s, so is uncommon.