113.22 - Cream of the crop

8 years old, distilled 22nd October 2010, 63.0% abv, First Fill Ex-Bourbon Barrel, 247 bottles, dram price A

SMWS 113.22 - Cream of the cropThe nose has vanilla, toffee apples and then florist’s stands and a hint of lemon. The mouthfeel is thin with no cling. The body is light - vanilla, floral notes and then a little toffee. The finish has floral notes and vanilla.

Water brings out thin, rapidly expanding whorling that settles quickly into brief mottling. The nose gains lemon and some lavender. The body gains lavender and mango, but loses nothing. The finish gains lavender and toffee, and loses some of the vanilla.

A light, sweet dram that needed water to open it up. It was worthwhile, as it has a pleasing set of flavours to offer...

One for summer afternoons.

Technical score: 4/5

Personal preference: I’d have another dram.

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.