39.165 - Handbag hanging in a willow tree

9 years old, distilled 6th April 2009, 54.4% abv, First Fill Ex-Bourbon Barrel, 216 bottles, dram price A

SMWS 39.165 - Handbag hanging in a willow treeThe nose has soft leather, talcum powder and a hint of rosewater. The mouthfeel is thin with no cling. The body has Turkish Delight, old leather furniture and lemon juice. The finish is lemon juice, with hints of Turkish Delight.

Water brings out thin, rapidly expanding whorling that mottles very briefly. The nose gains ne oak furniture, more of the talcum powder, and loses some of the soft leather. The rosewater remains. The body gains more rosewater and Turkish Delight notes, and a hint of lime. It loses nothing of the previous experience. The finish gains a hint of lime.

A superb summer dram - fruit and floral notes, backed up with soft leather. One for summer evenings on the green with friends, debating whether the setting sun has made it cold enough to go indoors yet...

Technical score: 4.5/5

Personal preference: I'd like more than one 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!