17 years old, distilled 25th September 1998, 57.8% abv, Refill Ex-Bourbon Barrel, 138 bottles

The nose has has brine, beach bonfires, and hints of pineapple and vanilla. There's also a little floral note - honeysuckle? The mouthfeel is thick, with some coating. The body has vanilla, peat smoke, watch oil, cloves, aniseed and a little ginger. The finish is ginger, peat smoke and aniseed.

Water brings out thick, expanding whorling that rapidly expands and settles into short lived mottling. The nose now gains creosote and mint leaves. The body has less aniseed and cloves, a little more vanilla and thyme. The finish gains thyme and a hint of tobacco.

An interesting expression, oilier and altogether more interesting for it. One for the late autumn evening, when you're considering starting the fire up.

3.5/5