10 years old, distilled 27th May 2007, 56.6% abv, Second Fill Ex-Madeira Hogshead, 288 bottles, dram price B

The nose has an initial hit of vinegar that fades rapidly, to be replaced by toffee, cardamom, glâce cherry, plums and a hint of dark chocolate. The mouthfeel is thin with a little cling. The body has cinder toffee, dark chocolate, caramel and then cardamom. The finish is cardamom and toffee.

Water brings out thick, compact whorling that settles into brief mottling. The nose gains fruit - red apple, more plum and some hints of damson. The toffee is diminished. The body gains plums and damson, and loses the cinder toffee. The finish gains more cardamom.

An intriguing dram - a summer digestif?

3/5