11 years old, distilled 29th March 2005, 57.6% abv, first-fill ex-bourbon barrel, 156 bottles

The nose has an odd combination of superglue and stewed fruits, which rapidly opens up and loses the glue, gaining more fruit notes. Pear, apricot, strawberry - and a little vanilla sponge. The mouthfeel is thin and astringent, but expands very nicely. The body has orange rind, peaches, apricots, watermelon and then a hint of lime. The finish has a little bitterness, and more of the oranges and peaches.

Water brings out tight, rapidly expanding whorling that quickly settles into brief mottling. The nose now gains some of the sharp orange citrus notes from the body, and hints of lime. The body has gained lemon notes, and the finish changes to lemon and lime, moving towards orange peel after a short while. The mouthfeel is also more succulent now.

A fine summer's dram, for watching others work in the garden.

4/5