16 years old, distilled 17th May 2001, 58.3% abv, New Oak Puncheon, 554 bottles, dram price C

The nose has old tea chests, rum soaked sultanas, armagnac and a little hint of toffee. The mouthfeel is thin with no cling. The body has plums, rum-soaked sultanas, and black pepper towards the finish. The finish is black pepper, cinnamon and rum soaked sultanas. Not too spicy, but borderline.

Water brings out thin, rapidly expanding whorling that settles into lingering mottling. The nose gains plums, toffee apples, and a hint of raspberry. The body gains toffee apple, raspberry and more plum, and loses the black pepper and cinnamon somewhat. The finish gains plums, but the cinnamon is still there as the palate dries off.

Saved by water, this dram has plenty to offer - I'd like to try it with some high quality vanilla-cream.

Technical score: 4/5

Personal preference: Just the one dram, thanks.