26.120 - Oil be drammed

13 years old, distilled 27th February 2004, 52.1% abv, First Fill Ex-Bourbon Barrel, 198 bottles, dram price C

SMWS 26.120 - Oil be drammedThe nose has lemon sherbet, vanilla, butterscotch and a hint of candle wax. The mouthfeel is decent, with a little cling. The body has coconut and oranges, then a mineral element and finally a return of the lemon sherbet from the nose as it moves towards the finish. The finish is lemon sherbet and candlewax.

Water brings out thick, rapidly expanding whorling that settles into brief mottling. The nose gains orange peel and a little ginger, and loses some of the lemon notes. The body gains a herbal note (fennel?) and loses some of the lemon. The finish sees oranges and fennel join a diminished lemon and candlewax.

A summer evening's dram.

4/5 (A little too odd for a 4.5)