21 years old, distilled 5th March 1997, 54.3% abv, First Fill Ex-PX Hogshead, 234 bottles, dram price E

The nose has unsalted peanuts, old leather chairs and hints of cloves. The mouthfeel is thin with no cling. The body has cloves, nutmeg, and leather. The finish has nutmeg and cloves.

Water brings out thick, rapidly expanding whorling that settles into brief mottling. The nose gains tobacco leaves, sultanas and hoisin sauce, and loses the leather. The finish gains sultanas and currants, and loses the cloves.

A spicy dram, yet not hot - and a very interesting selection of flavours, well integrated. Worth adding water!

One for autumnal evenings.

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!