15 years old, distilled 10th May 2004, 58.7% abv, First Fill Ex-Oloroso Hogshead, 278 bottles, dram price D

The nose has tobacco, oranges, grilled pineapple and walnuts. The mouthfeel is thin with no cling. The body has tobacco, oranges, dark chocolate and ginger. The finish has tobacco leaves, ginger and oranges.

Water brings out thin, rapidly expanding whorling that settles into brief mottling. The nose gains toffee and loses both the grilled pineapple and walnuts. The body gains more dark chocolate and some black pepper, and loses the ginger somewhat. The finish loses the ginger and gains black pepper.

It’s a sherry bomb, and no mistake. Sadly, also a little too spicy in the finish for me - but those dark chocolate and orange notes, combined with the tobacco, will please many people.

One for autumn evenings.

Technical score: 4.5/5

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.