13 years old, distilled 7th March 2002, 63.1% abv, first fill ex-bourbon barrel, 240 bottles

The nose has ginger nut biscuits, icing and a hint of strawberry cream chocolates. The mouthfeel is thin and clean with little cling. The body starts with vanilla, then cinnamon chocolate bars, then a hint of chilli heat towards the end. The finish is sweet vanilla and cinnamon.

Water brings out thin, tight, very rapidly expanding and short-lived whorling. The nose now has toffee with the ginger, and a little stewed fruits in the background. The body has less of the heat - subdued ginger, toffee, old wooden wardrobes and a little heat at the very end. The finish has gained a little toffee.

A good dram for the fireside, before moving on to something heavily sherried.

3/5