Submitted by Philip Storry on
34 years old, distilled 15th December 1983, 51.7% abv, Refill Ex-Bourbon Barrel, 161 bottles, dram price J
The nose has rhubarb, a freshly opened bag of midget gems (veering towards an orange-flavoured fruit gum) and a hint of banana. The mouthfeel is thin with no cling. The body has candied oranges, caramel and a little cinnamon. The finish has orange flavoured chew sweets and a little banana. As the finish dries the palate out, there's also a hint of cinnamon and ginger. This dram is changing fairly quickly in the glass - new flavours keep popping in and out, making it both a joy and a technical challenge!
Water brings out thin, rapidly expanding whorling that settles briefly into mottling. The nose gains more orange notes (orange oil?), and a little ginger. The sweety notes are gone. The body gains more orange notes and a some ginger, losing the caramel. The finish has a similar change - more oranges, and more ginger.
This whisky is very intriguing. The way it changes yet remains the same whisky is remarkable, and at a tasting I can see this ending in fist fights. (The first rule of Whisky Fight Club is...)
One for spring days in the evening with friends.
Technical score: 4.5/5
Personal preference: I'd like a bottle.