10 years old, distilled 8th December 2008, 64.3% abv, Refill Ex-Oloroso Butt, 618 bottles, dram price B

The nose has creme brulée, oranges, cherries, coffee grinds and hints of sherry vinegar. The mouthfeel is thin with no cling. The body has oranges, cherries, coffee grinds, sherry vinegar, cinnamon and ginger. The finish has oranges, coffee grinds, ginger and cinnamon.

Water brings out thin, rapidly expanding whorling that settles quickly into very brief mottling. The nose gains ginger and loses the sherry vinegar. The body gains more ginger, chilli, old oak and has lost the cherries. The finish gains chilli and old oak, and loses the oranges.

An interesting dram - never quite too warm for me, but with flavours I’m not fond of. Still well balanced and integrated though, so it’s hard to fault.

One for autumnal evenings.

Technical score: 3.5/5

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.