135.6 - Cones versus crones

10 years old, distilled 13th September 2007, 57.1% abv, Second-Fill Ex-Bourbon Hogshead, 297 bottles, dram price B

SMWS 135.6 - Cones versus cronesThe nose has fresh oak, vanilla, buttercups and hints of liquorice. The mouthfeel is thin with no cling. The body has fresh oak, toffee, hard pears and barbequed peppers. The finish is fresh oak and liquorice with a hint of black pepper.

Water brings out thin, rapidly expanding whorling that lingers for a while as thin mottling. The nose gains more buttercups, pralines and loses the liquorice hints. The body gains more toffee and some lychee. The finish gains pralines and loses the hint of black pepper.

I feared this one might be too spicy for me, but far from it. Well constructed and balanced, it's a great springtime dram for drinking on fresh days filled with fresh hopes.

Technical score: 4.5/5

Personal preference: I'd have another dram.

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!