9 years old, distilled 14th July 2006, 58.7% abv, First-Fill Ex-Oloroso Butt, 546 bottles

The nose has blood orange, ginger, cinnamon and cloves. There's also a hint of dark chocolate. The mouthfeel is thin with a little cling. The body has cinnamon and cardamom, oranges, and baked apples. The finish is sweet with blood oranges and dark chocolate.

Water brings out thick, brief whorling that settles into mottling. The nose now has more of the cinnamon and cloves, less of the blood oranges - which is joined by baked apples. The body has more of the cinnamon, and gains dark chocolate. The finish gains cinnamon.

A fireside dram, which I think improved with water.

4/5