7 years old, distilled 18th October 2011, 63.8% abv, Second Fill Ex-Bourbon Barrel, 248 bottles, dram price A

The nose has mint, fresh oak and a hint of black pepper. The mouthfeel is thin with no cling. The body has new and sappy oak, fresh tomatoes, greenhouses on a summer’s day and black pepper towards the finish. The finish has new oak and black pepper.

Water brings out thin, rapidly expanding whorling that settles quickly into lingering mottling. The nose goes somewhat quiet - faint wood and not much more. The body gains more tomato and oak, and loses the black pepper. The finish gains more oak and tomato, and loses the black pepper.

I can’t help but wonder if I over-watered it, as it became rather quiet. But I didn’t add more than I usually would. Still, it removed that pepper note, so it’s an observation rather than a complaint...

One for spring afternoons between the showers...

Technical score: 2.5/5

Personal preference: Just the one dram, thanks.

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.