30.106 - Succulent, scintillating, substantial

21 years old, distilled 17th April 1997, 57.2% abv, Second Fill Ex-Pedro Ximenez Butt, 681 bottles, dram price E

(Festival label)

SMWS 30.106 - Succulent, scintillating, substantialThe nose has burnt toffee, rum and raisin ice-cream, brandy and hints of milk chocolate. The mouthfeel is thin with no cling. The body has toffee, brandy centred chocolates, almonds and a top note of oranges hints of lime. The finish has toffee, rum centred chocolates and oranges.

Water brings out thin, compact whorling that settles into brief mottling. The nose gains more brandy and loses the rum notes. The body gains more smoke in the toffee notes, and moves towards a little more nuttiness. The oranges are subdued, and the lime gone. The finish gains more toffee and some burnt oranges.

A potent dram that revels in its own excess - packed with rum & brandy alongside a little fruit and some nuttiness.

One for spring evenings.

Technical score: 4/5

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.