18 years old, distilled 1st June 2000, 57.5% abv, Second Fill Toasted Hogshead, 248 bottles, dram price D

The nose has pineapple, coconut and a slightly hoppy note. The mouthfeel is thin with no cling. The body has pineapple, pear, tart lemon, hops and hints of oak. The finish has pear and hops.

Water brings out thick, rapidly expanding whorling that dissipates without much mottling. The nose gains lemon and damp cardboard, and loses the hops. The body gains softer lemon and loses the hops. The finish gains lemon and loses the hops.

A little too hoppy before water, but it was tamed and improved.

One for summer afternoons.

Technical score: 4/5

Personal preference: I’d have another dram.

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.