27 years old, distilled 12th June 1989, 59,7% abv, Second Fill Ex-Sauternes Hogshead, 240 bottles

The nose has buttercups, banana, vanilla and hints of caramel. The mouthfeel is thin but succulent, with little cling. The body has ginger, vanilla, nutmeg, lemon bon bons and a hint of tobacco leaves. The finish is warm, with ginger and lemon.

Water brings out thin, rapidly spreading whorling that settles into lasting mottling. The nose now gains a touch of cinnamon and ginger, and a hint of pear. The body has gained hints of pears and green apples, and some of the banana from the nose. The finish gains some banana.

A superb sweet light whisky, for starting an evening of catching up with old friends. The finish in the Sauternes cask really lifts up the flavours and injects some sweet fruit notes, making this one hell of a grain whisky.

5/5