10 years old, distilled 20th December 2005, 59.0% abv, Second-Fill Ex-Bourbon Barrel, 186 bottles, dram price C

(Feis Ile 2017 bottling)

The nose has lavender, burnt heather, carbolic soap, and a hint of iodine. The mouthfeel is thin with some cling. The body has iodine, liquorice, caramel and lots of wood smoke. The finish has smoke and iodine.

Water brings out thin, rapidly expanding whorling that settles quickly into lingering mottling. The nose now gains raspberry, more lavender and hints of toffee. The medical notes remain, but are diminished. The body gains toffee and hints of thyme. The finish gains toffee.

A superb dram for a hip flask. Or Glencairns. Or pint glasses. Or a trough. Would a trough be too much?

4.5/5