10 years old, distilled 29th May 2008, 58.8% abv, Refill Ex-Bourbon Barrel, 215 bottles, dram price B

The nose has sherbet, honey and hints of old polished furniture. The mouthfeel is thin with no cling. The body has honey, nougat, cinnamon and nutmeg. The finish has cinnamon and nutmeg with hints of fudge and sherbet.

Water brings out thin, rapidly expanding whorling that settles quickly without mottling. The nose gains more sherbet and some dandelion, and loses the old polished furniture. The body gains butterscotch and pineapple, and loses the nutmeg. The finish gains butterscotch and loses some of the nutmeg.

A little too spicy for me without water, but it’s always a treat to try un-sherried young whisky from this distillery, partly because it’s obsessed with age and sherry at the moment. This delivers that counterpoint.

One for spring evenings.

Technical score: 3.5/5

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.