15 years old, distilled 6th November 2002, 58.3% abv, First Fill Ex-Pedro Ximenez Hogshead, 238 bottles, dram price C

The nose has smoked almonds, tea chests and a hint of sherry. The mouthfeel is thin with no cling. The body has sherry, plums, and tea chests. The finish has sherry and plums.

Water brings out thin, rapidly expanding whorling that settles into brief mottling. The nose gains plum and apricot, and loses the tea chests. The body gains cinnamon and tikka spices, and loses the tea chests. The finish gains cinnamon.

An interesting dram - not sure where the smoke is, but it's a nicely balanced set of flavours.

One for winter afternoons.

Technical score: 3.5/5

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!