112.43 - Starfruit: The next distillation

15 years old, distilled 23rd September 2003, 53.4% abv, Second Fill Ex-Bourbon Hogshead, 281 bottles, dram price C

SMWS 112.43 - Starfruit: the next distillationThe nose has lemon, lime, flowering meadows and a hint of nail varnish remover. The mouthfeel is thin with no cling. The body has mango, papaya, pineapple, starfruit and more - a fruit explosion! There’s also more of the flowering meadows. The finish has mango, pineapple and papaya with a hint of nail varnish remover.

Water brings out thin, rapidly expanding whorling that settles into brief mottling. The nose gains grapefruit and melon, and some mango. Gone is the nail varnish remover. The body gains more of the tropical fruits and loses the nail varnish remover. The finish has the same effect.

The is a superb dram, especially after water - the tropical fruit is nicely counterpointed by the meadow notes, but it’s definitely a fruity dram.

One for summer afternoons.

Technical score: 4.5/5

Personal preference: I’d like more than one bottle.

This whisky was provided by the SMWS in a preview session - thanks to them for that. Full editorial control has been retained in the tasting process.