Dalwhinnie Winter’s Gold Single Malt Scotch Whisky, 70cl

Medium in body. Soft and golden syrup-smooth.

Exquisitely heart-warming: lingering and comforting with a pleasingly chewy conclusion. Smooth and unctuous with sweet malt, raisins and dark chocolate. Growing lightly aromatic, too, with hints of dates and sandalwood.

Broad, firm, smooth and clean, yet with a compelling, sweet, honeyed, dessert character that suggests the indulgence to come. An ever-present fragrant and smooth waxiness underscores higher glimpses of fruit, suggesting a caramel tart on a smear of sharp apricot coulis, or sweet shortcrust pastry offset by orange zest. There’s also a menthol freshness and a modest, smoky note.

Smoothly honeyed, sweet, comforting and rich- textured with a balancing ripe autumn-fruit tartness. Growing spicy, with gingerbread; then denser with rich malt loaf, suggestions of molasses and mint; and later soft, distant smoke.