8 years old, distilled 20th May 2008, 60.3% abv, First-Fill Oloroso Butt, 564 bottles

Dram price A

The nose has raisins, dark chocolate, liquorice and hints of tobacco. The mouthfeel is decent, with a little cling. The body is high cocoa chocolate and coffee grounds at first - very bitter - and then a toffee note and hints of oranges and cloves. The finish is sweet, with oranges and liquorice.

Water brings out thick, lazy whorling that settles into lingering mottling. This dram takes a lot of water, but doesn't change dramatically - don't skimp if you want change! The nose now gains more dried fruits and loses the tobacco. The body gains more of the oranges and some raisins, and loses some of the bitterness. The finish is less sweet, gaining a toffee note and losing a little orange.

A huge dram that dominates the palate, it needs time and a food pairing.

4/5