9 years old, distilled 16th March 2007, 58.2% abv, First Fill Ex-Oloroso Sherry Butt, 486 bottles

The nose has raisins, sultanas, a paper bag full of Hot Lips and a big whack of sherry. The mouthfeel is thin with little cling, but quite smooth. The body has fruit mincemeat, walnuts and a hint of polished mahogany. The finish is raisins and polished wood.

Water brings out thick, lazily expanding whorling that settles into lingering mottling. The nose now loses the Hot Lips and gains a slight hint of cinnamon. The body has lost the walnut but gained more spices - not too hot, but lots more cinnamon and cardamom. The finish also gains cinnamon.

A great sherried dram, that gains a little more spice than I'd like after water.

3.5/5