9 years old, distilled 4th May 2005, 57.4% abv, first fill ex-bourbon barrel, 225 bottles

The nose has light vanilla, humbugs and cinnamon on the nose. The mouth-feel is light, with little lingering. The body has ginger, cloves, cinnamon and a little honey. The finish is sweet and light - vanilla and ginger.

Water brings lovely expanding whorling that lingers for a decent while in mottling. Very pleasing. The nose now has a slight peach note - peach melba yoghurt? The cinnamon and humbug are quieter, but the vanilla is a little stronger. The body has a creaminess - there's a little less ginger, more honey and cloves. The finish now has a little ginger, and some pineapple towards the end.

A great dram for the start of an evening.

3.5/5