9 years old, distilled 1st July 2008, 62.0% abv, First Fill Red Wine Barrique, 271 bottles, dram price B

The nose has vanilla, Turkish delight, soft leather, pineapple and hints of rum. The mouthfeel is thin with a little cling. The body has pineapple, Turkish delight, sultanas, ginger and hints of aniseed. The finish has ginger, sultanas and a hint of aniseed.

Water brings out tight, thin, rapidly expanding whorling that doesn't mottle. The nose gains more leather and hints of tobacco, and loses the Turkish delight. The body gains leather, tobacco, old oak and loses some of the pineapple. The finish gains tobacco.

A big, rich dram with plenty of flavours held in decent check against each other.

One for winter afternoons.

Technical score: 4/5

Personal preference: I'd have another dram.

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!