Okay, I finally admitted most of my beer seems to have a tang of smoke about it. Didn't bother me on the majority of my brews since I usually brew darker styles. However, a steam style with only maris otter that gave me the smokey feeling has called for drastic action >:(.
Boiler change, elements change, deep clean of the chiller and mash tun should sort the issue out. Reckon it was the boiler elements but due a good clean and change anyway.
Just done a scottish ipa and an irish pale, so I should know in a month whether the problem has been resolved.
The steam ale is quite drinkable but at 7% but the taste test places it in some other style.
Will bring a selection to the nov / dec meeting so I can get some independent views :-\.