We immediately entered a sweetie shop – wine gums, gob stoppers, apple jacks, Schloer (red grape variety) and other artificial fruits, with some tell-tale saddle soap, which we associate with this distillery on Ballindalloch Estate. At natural strength, the taste was sweet overall and complex, with apple and sherbet, and ‘slightly burnt apple strudel, giving a hint of ash in the finish. A drop of water introduces Mr. Kipling almond slices with vanilla custard, soft leatherette and vine tomatoes, and the latter come through in the taste, with herbs and cracked pepper on a pizza base, but also some light toffee and spice.