9 years old, distilled 12th November 2012, 58.2% abv, First Fill Ex-Bourbon Barrel, 222 bottles, dram price A

The nose has herb gardens, greenhouses in summer, candle wax, and hints of lemon. The mouthfeel is thin with no cling. The body has lemon, candle wax, thyme and hints of sage. The finish has lemon, thyme and hints of oak.

Water brings out thin, rapidly expanding whorling that settles quickly into brief mottling. The nose gains barley sugar water, and loses the greenhouses and some of the candle wax. The body gains more lemon and candle wax, and is a little thicker on the palate. The finish gains more lemon and some waxed jackets.

A lovely dram for warm weather, which has a great mouthfeel after water. It’s only sin is simplicity, which is just fine at this age - and for the occasion!

One for summer mornings.

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.