9 years old, distilled 5th October 2006, 57.3% abv, Refill Ex-Bourbon Barrel, 228 bottles

The nose is very soft - caramel, smokey toffee, and shoreline breezes, joined by a hint of smokey bacon. The mouthfeel is smooth with no cling. The body has vinegar, toffee, caramel, hard pears and a hint of lime. The finish is toffee and hints of lime.

Water brings out thin, rapidly expanding whorling which quickly vanishes. The nose is still soft, but gains lime and loses the smokey bacon and toffee. The body has gained more caramel, and lost the vinegar. The finish is a little sweeter - more lime?

A light, sweet dram for hip flasks on crisp autumnal days.

4/5