21 years old, distilled 15th August 1997, 61.5% abv, Second Fill Ex-Bourbon Barrel, 194 bottles, dram price E

The nose has peach melba yoghurt, honey and hints of sponge cake. The mouthfeel is thin with no cling. The body has peach, green apple, pear, apricot and then sponge cake and fresh, sappy oak wood. The finish has green apple, apricot and young oak.

Water brings out thin, compact and rapidly dissipating whorling that doesn’t mottle. The nose gains apricot and hints of pineapple, but loses nothing. The body gains pineapple and much more apple and peach, and loses some of that young oak. The finish gains pineapple cubes and loses the oak.

This dram has maturation, not just age. A superb experience.

One for summer evenings.

Technical score: 4.5/5

Personal preference: I’d like a 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.