115.17 - Flower meadows and lemon groves

30 years old, distilled 15th February 1990, 43.2% abv, Refill Ex-Bourbon Barrel, 161 bottles, dram price J

SMWS 115.17 - Flower meadows and lemon grovesThe nose has fresh uncut lemons, tinned pineapple rings, floral hints and a little aniseed. The mouthfeel is very thin with no cling. The body has honey, lemons, tinned pineapples, lychee and hints of aniseed. The finish has lemon, lychee, pineapple and aniseed.

Water - which may not be necessary at all at such a low ABV, but must be tried - brings out thin, compact whorling that settles without spreading and slowly smears itself away. The nose gains jasmine and more aniseed, with a little unpolished oak furniture. The floral hints and pineapple are gone. The body gains aniseed and more honey, and some old unpolished oak furniture. The finish gains more aniseed and hints of oak, and loses the lychee and pineapple.

Oh, that unwatered nose. What a delight! I regret adding water, as I could have happily drunk this all evening. Heck, I could have nosed it all evening!

One for summer evenings with friends.

Technical score: 4/5

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.