6 years old, distilled 28th February 2010, 57.9% abv, Refill Ex-Bourbon Barrel, 174 bottles, dram price G

The nose has is initially acetal but burns off quickly to provide hard toffee, gorse, gooseberry, and then a melange of tropical fruits - melon, lychee, papaya and pear drops. The mouthfeel is thin with some cling, and very smooth. The body has melon, lychee, gooseberry, with toffee in the background and hints of vanilla and oak spices. The finish is quite short - toffee and hints of melon.

Water brings out thin, compact whorling that sits for a while before dissipating. The nose has less fruit, moving towards nuts (almond, walnut) and a curious bread note. The pear drops and lychee remain. The body has less fruit, more toffee - and the alcohol and acetal hint from the initial nose suddenly appears. There's also cinnamon and cardamom towards the finish - which loses the melon for cinnamon.

A satisfying dram - ironically, for those bright winter's days. A touchline dram for the dedicated followers of RFC.

4/5