17 years old, distilled 16th February 2004, 56.8% abv, Second Fill Ex-Bourbon Hogshead, 268 bottles, dram price F

The nose has light peat smoke, and hints of fruit - mango and peach - with a touch of violet. The mouthfeel is thin with no cling. The body has mango, violet, soft toffee and light peat smoke. The finish has mango, violet and peat smoke.

Water brings out thin, compact whorling that vanishes quickly without mottling. The nose gains more violet and the fruit switches from mango to passion fruit. The body gains more violet and some passion fruit, but loses nothing. The finish gains more violet and more smoke.

A well balanced dram that delivers enough fruit and florality to balance the smoke. My kind of dram...

One for autumn evenings.

Technical score: 4.5/5
Personal preference: I’d like more than one bottle.

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.