14 years old, distilled 13th March 2007, 53.8% abv, First Fill STR Barrique, 298 bottles, dram price D

The nose has pears, cinnamon, ryvita and hints of oak. The mouthfeel is thin with a little cling. The body has baked pear, cherries, toasted oak and then cinnamon and ginger. The finish has toasted oak, cinnamon and cardamom.

Water brings out thin, rapidly expanding whorling that sits briefly as mottling. The nose gains more pear and some cherries. The body gains more cherries and some fruits of the forest and loses a little of the ginger. The finish gains more cherries.

A very pleasant dram that balances wood and fruit with a little spice.

One for autumn afternoons.

Technical score: 4/5
Personal preference: I’d have another dram.

This whisky was provided by the SMWS in a preview session - thanks to them for that. Full editorial control has been retained in the tasting process.