17 years old, distilled 24th March 2004, 58.2% abv, First Fill Ex-Oloroso Hogshead, 224 bottles, dram price E

The nose has red berries, orange fruit gums and hints of cherry cola. The mouthfeel is thin with no cling. The body has orange fruit gums, cherry cola, and hints of biltong. The finish has cherry cough sweets and orange fruit gums.

Water brings out tight, thin whorling that quickly settles into lingering mottling. The nose gains baked Golden Syrup, and loses the orange fruit gums. The body gains almonds and loses the biltong hints. The finish gains almonds and loses the orange fruit gums.

This is a curious dram. There’s always a meatiness in the background, but difficult for me to identify - perhaps something like baked rabbit? But it’s never distinct enough to make it into the notes. I don’t think that the sherry cask overpowered that, but it is certainly distracting me from it. Definitely enjoyable.

One for autumn 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.