18 years old, distilled 16th January 2003, 54.5% abv, Refill Ex-Guyanese Rum Barrel, 189 bottles, dram price E

The nose has coconut, flambéed bananas, blossoms, high ester rums and hints of pot-pourri and milk chocolates. The mouthfeel is thin with no cling. The body has rum-filled chocolates, milk-chocolate raisins, baked bananas, coconut chocolates and flower baskets. The finish has rum-filled chocolates, raisins, baked bananas and hints of ginger.

Water brings out thin, compact whorling that settles quickly into brief mottling. The nose gains more floral notes and loses nothing. The body gains more raisins and rum. The finish gains more raisins and rum, and loses the hint of ginger.

A superb marriage of rum cask and light whisky, delivering some slightly unexpected flavours.

One for summer afternoons.

Technical score: 4.5/5
Personal preference: I’d like more than one bottle.

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.