16 years old, distilled 1st January 2000, 54.3% abv, Second-Fill Ex-Sauternes Hogshead, 258 bottles

The nose has lemon sherbet, brown sugar and toffee. The mouthfeel is thin with a little cling. The body has more lemon sherbet, baked apples and a little cinnamon towards the finish. The finish is baked apples and cinnamon.

Water brings out tight thin whorling that rapidly spreads and settles before dissipating - no mottling. The nose becomes more floral - hints of violets and lavender - and gains a little butterscotch note. The lemon is much reduced. The body has also reduced the lemon, supplanting it with toffee and fudge. The finish gains toffee notes.

A wonderful dram for rainy days.

4/5