13 years old, distilled 14th August 2003, 61.0% abv, First-Fill Ex-Bourbon Barrel, 180 bottles

Dram price B

The nose has honey, cherry lips, sponge cake and a hint of coffee. The mouthfeel is thin with no cling. The body has an immediate hit of black pepper that almost shuts down my palate. Then there's coffee, honey, rye, and a hint of white pepper before the finish. The finish has rye and coffee.

Water brings out tight whorling that rapidly becomes widespread and lingering mottling. The nose now loses the honey and cherry lips, but gains some toffee and a herbal hint. The body's has lost some of the peppery fire and the rye, and gained banana and cream. The finish now mixes softer rye notes and banana.

On the edge, with more pepper than I expected.

2/5 without water, 3/5 with.