One panellist envisaged a mechanic in his oily overalls eating a croissant, while another cleaned his well-used and well-loved walking boots after a full day’s hike. On the palate we had porridge with more than a drop of whisky and PX sherry, while we dipped marzipan into sherry cask-aged beer. After the addition of water, we lit a cigar and poured a glass of cloudy cider, reflecting on the dusty, hard and painful path taken that day and started to philosophise on finding purpose in solitude – the journey is the reward. Following 14 years in an ex-bourbon hogshead, we transferred this whisky into a first fill Spanish oak oloroso hogshead.