24.130 - Refined and sophisticated

16 years old, distilled 12th March 2002, 57.3% abv, First Fill Ex-Bourbon Barrel, 200 bottles, dram price G

SMWS 24.130 - Refined and sophisticatedThe nose has apricot, honey, geraniums and dried coconut. The mouthfeel is thin with no cling. The body has honey, coconut, and hints of apricot and orange. There’s also a touch of ginger as it dries. The finish is ginger and apricot.

Water brings out thin, rapidly expanding whorling that doesn’t settle and leaves large streaks. The nose gains more geranium and apricot, and loses the dried coconut. The body is muted - the fruits are still there, but it feels a bit flat. The finish brings ginger and coconut with apricot, but tips the balance towards the ginger.

Superb without water, but I have reservations about it with water.

One for autumn afternoons.

Technical score: 3/5 (Would have been 4.5/5 without water)

Personal preference: Just the one dram thanks (with water)/I’d have another dram (without water)

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.