15 years old, distilled 5th November 2003, 57.9% abv, First Fill Ex-Red Wine Barrique, 248 bottles, dram price C

The nose has redcurrants, patent leather, suede, peanut brittle and hints of vinegar. The mouthfeel is thin with no cling. The body has apricot jam, marmalade, redcurrant, dark chocolate and lots of wine. The finish is apricot jam, marmalade and dark chocolate.

Water brings out thick, rapidly dissipating whorling that didn’t mottle. The nose gains balsemic vinegar and red wine, and loses the redcurrants and suede. The body gains more red wine and some cinnamon, and loses the apricot jam. The finish gains cinnamon and loses the apricot jam.

If you can get past the nose, there’s a decent body there. But that red wine cask is full on, and unrelenting.

One for winter evenings.

Technical score: 3.5/5

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.