17 years old, distilled 25th September 1997, 57.2% abv, refill ex-sherry butt, 537 bottles

The nose is big and full - oranges, sherry, ash-filled hearths. The mouth-feel is sharp, clean and smooth. The body delivers an oily fish note, then more oranges and a beach bonfire. The finish is sherry and then smoke from burning driftwood.

Water brings thick, rapidly expanding whorling that settles into mottling at the bottom of the glass - very satisfying. The nose now has some liquorice as well as the sherry. The body has notes of a just used barbecue, then Seville oranges. The finish is unchanged.

A dram for a winter's evening after a feast.

3/5