21 years old, distilled 4th April 1995, 51.6% abv, First-Fill American Oak Pedro Ximenez Hogshead, 288 bottles, dram price G

(Feis Ile 2017 bottling)

The nose has plum, peat smoke, and hints of blackcurrant. The mouthfeel is decent with a little cling. The body has toffee, maple syrup and hints of pineapple. The finish is charcoal smoke and pineapple.

Water brings out thick, rapidly expanding whorling that settles quickly into lingering mottling. The nose now gains caramel and pineapple, and loses the plum. The body has also gained caramel and then burnt heather and thyme. The finish has caramel, charcoal smoke and floral hints.

A softer, gentler Islay for a softer, gentler evening.

3/5