11 years old, distilled 14th May 2008, 62.3% abv, First Fill Ex-Bourbon Barrel, 208 bottles, dram price B

The nose has lemon peel, banana and hints of dried flowers or pot-pourri, and some old oak wood. The mouthfeel is thin with no cling. The body has lemon, banana, green apple, pear, kiwi fruit, pineapple, and hints of strawberries. That’s followed by old oak and hints of pot-pourri. The finish has more fruit - pineapple, lemon, pear and kiwi fruit with a little fresh oak.

Water brings out thin, rapidly expanding whorling that settles quickly into brief mottling. The nose gains more fruit - kiwi fruit and hints of strawberries, and loses the old oak. The body has the same fruit, but swaps the old oak for herbal notes - tarragon? The finish gains a little hint of strawberry, some herbal notes, and loses the oak.

The nose is closed initially, but did open up a little. I think this dram needs a little time - but it will reward the patient person immensely. A superb fruit bomb.

One for summer mornings, with your breakfast.

Technical score: 3.5/5

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.