3.246 - "The Curious Apothecary"

16 years old, distilled 4th May 1999, 57.2% abv, first fill ex-bourbon barrel, 192 bottles

DSC_0271The nose has lavender, lemon, lime, and then a hint of barbecue ash. The mouthfeel is slight but expanding and has a little cling. The body has basil, lemon and lime, then the lavender arrives and finally a hint of charcoal ash. The finish is lemon and ash, then lavender.

Water brings out tight thin whorling that rapidly expands and then settles into brief mottling. The nose is now less lavender, more lemon and some basil. The body has gained a little leather, and the finish also gains some herbal notes.

A superb expression of this distillery, balancing floral delicacy with a little fruit and ash - my kind of dram! For the long winter evenings indoors...

4.5/5 (and just missing a 5...)