46.74 - Orchard perambulation

21 years old, distilled 18th September 1997, 54.4% abv, First Fill Ex-Red Wine Barrique, 245 bottles, dram price E

SMWS 46.74 - Orchard perambulationThe nose has apple flans, quince jam and nectarines. The mouthfeel is thin with no cling. The body has baked apples, quince, sultanas and a hint of fruits of the forest. The finish has sultanas and baked apples with a hint of cinnamon. It’s a soft, gentle dram that builds up both the fruit and the cinnamon on repeated sips.

Water brings out thick, rapidly expanding whorling that dissipates before mottling. The nose gains sultanas and balsa wood, and loses the nectarines. The body gains more cinnamon and balsa wood, and the sultanas are also more prominent. The finish gains more sultanas.

A very nice whisky, albeit gentle. Like an orchestra playing quietly.

One for spring evenings.

Technical score: 4/5

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.