19 years old, distilled 25th July 2000, 55.4% abv, Ex-Bourbon Hogshead and First Fill Re-Charred Barrique, 228 bottles, dram price D

The nose has menthol, raisins, sultanas, hints of rough leather, Golden Syrup, and hints of clove. The mouthfeel is thin with no cling. The body has sultanas, raisins, sponge cake, golden syrup, peaches, kiwi fruit, biscotti and pine. The finish has peaches, sultanas, biscotti and crystallised ginger.

Water brings out tight, thin, rapidly expanding whorling that settles quickly into long-lasting mottling. The nose gains peaches and pears, and loses the menthol and clove. The body gains more peach and kiwi fruit, and loses the biscotti. The finish gains more peach and ginger.

Quite the surprise, the second maturation has really worked wonders adding a deeper dimension to this dram.

One for autumn evenings.

Technical score: 4.5/5

Personal preference: I’d like a 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.