11 years old, distilled 18th July 2006, 57.2% abv, Refill Ex-Bourbon Hogshead, 288 bottles, dram price C

The nose has tar, charcoal barbecue smoke and a hint of herb gardens to it. The mouthfeel is thin with a little cling. The body has lemon, barbeque smoke, toffee and a little liquorice. The finish has liquorice, ginger and more of that barbecue smoke.

Water brings out thin, rapidly expanding whorling that lingers briefly without mottling. The nose gains rosemary and fennel, and a hint of lemon - and loses the tar. The body gains more lemon and loses some of the tar. The finish loses some of the ginger.
A superb autumnal Islay.

Technical score: 5/5

Personal preference: I'd like more than one bottle.