That warm earth note comes through more strongly on the palate but it is still ever so gentle, like last night’s dampened bonfire. A bit of caramelised fruit sits alongside candied oranges.

Beautiful delicacy — wafts from the glass in a hypnotic way. Lots of green apples, vanilla bean, and fig leaf, alongside just a touch of aniseed. Very sweet.

Pillowy soft nose — a lot of depth without shouting alcohol. Melting brown sugar that gives way to a fruitiness of baked strawberries, before almost a cotton candy note. Oranges.

Initially almost smells of the seaside — there’s a fresh air aroma, alongside a bit of sea salt and fairground sweet stalls. Toffee-covered apples, campfire, and pain au raisin follows.

There’s a gentle Islay peatiness here alongside warm stewed apples and pears, plus bergamot and fresh-cut grass. Later on, date syrup, Maltesers, and mocha.

Butterscotch, tablet, and some pastéis de nata. There’s a bit of nutmeg, a touch of lemon peel and cedar, before a slightly fusty note comes through — faint lavender. It’s very concentrated on the ...

Initially there’s an almost lingering liquorice sweetness that catches the back of my nose before baked oranges, sticky maple syrup, and a bit of fleshy peach.

Softly malty with lovely fresh fruits wafting from the glass: think strawberries and maybe some raspberries and cream. A touch of warm pears and caramel follows — very inviting.

A complex nose that speaks of age — dark fruits covered in chocolate, a bit of a heady warehouse scent (dirt, maturing casks), stewed pears, and almonds. Luscious.

Nice bright nose, with some citrus zest and vanilla, a little bit of crayon. Initially quite toasty with a touch of smoke, some lemon cake, golden syrup, and a bit of spice from wood tannin.

Gentle spices: cinnamon and cardamom buns, alongside some crushed walnuts and orange zest. Little bit of pain aux raisin as well. A bakery in a glass.

As the new year dawns, we take a look at recent and current auctions in the world of whisky. Charity auctions are major feature of this month's auction round-up, with casks and bottles sold in aid of ...