135.12 - Juicy yet mouth-drying

12 years old, distilled 28th April 2006, 60.0% abv, First Fill Ex-Bourbon Barrel, 192 bottles, dram price B

SMWS 135.12 - Juicy yet mouth-dryingThe nose is gentle - floral notes and hints of apricot and peach. The mouthfeel is thin with no cling. The body has peach, papaya and then a very soft smokey toffee. The finish has smokey toffee and peach.

Water brings out thin, rapidly expanding whorling that dissipates quickly. The nose gains a flinty, almost smokey note. The body gains the same flintiness, and loses the peach. The finish gains flintiness and a little more smokey toffee, and loses the peach.

An interesting dram, simple but very soft and pleasant.

One for autumn afternoons in a hip flask.

Technical score: 4/5

Personal preference: I’d have another dram.