23 years old, distilled 27th October 1995, 55.0% abv, First Fill Ex-Sauternes Barrique, 202 bottles, dram price F

The nose is quite subtle - mango, unripened banana, old polished furniture, hints of new make. The mouthfeel is thin with no cling. The body has mango, banana, old polished furniture and hints of tokai. The finish has mango, old polished furniture and more of that tokai hint.

Water brings out thin, rapidly expanding whorling that settles quickly into brief mottling. The nose gains coconut, walnut, and more polished furniture. The body gains butterscotch, more polished furniture, cinnamon and wood spices. The finish gains wood spice.

An interesting dram that worked well with the wine cask before water, but was dominated by wood and spice after water.

Technical score: 4/5

Personal preference: Just the one dram, thanks.

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.