10.143 - The wonders of refill wood

10 years old, distilled 3rd October 2007, 61.6% abv, Refill Ex-Bourbon Hogshead, 258 bottles, dram price C

SMWS 10.143 - The wonders of refill woodThe nose is a little quiet - hints of old first aid tins, lemon, and burnt fruit (overdone fried tomato?) with a little touch of crisp smoke. The mouthfeel is thin and smooth with no cling. The body has lemon, tar, ash from a bonfire, and coastal breezes. The finish has lemon, ash and bonfire smoke - and is much larger than the body would suggest!

Water brings out thin, rapidly expanding whorling that settles quickly into brief mottling. The nose gains germolene and a touch of tar, and loses the scorched fruit. The body gains more ash, and loses much of the lemon. The finish is unchanged, as the lemon returns in time!

A very potent dram that speaks softly (on the nose) and carries a big stick (which it bludgeons you with in the finish).

One for autumn evenings or winter days by the fireside - or perhaps a windswept shoreline?

4/5