53.265 - Peaty, briny goodness

11 years old, distilled 18th July 2006, 58.2% abv, Refill Ex-Bourbon Hogshead, 327 bottles, dram price C

SMWS 53.265 - Peaty, briny goodnessThe nose has soft wood smoke, tea chests and hints of peach. The mouthfeel is thin with no cling. The body has peach, lychee, damp ash from a wood fireplace and some more wood smoke. The finish has wood smoke and damp ash.

Water brings out thin, lazily expanding whorling that doesn't quite mottle. The nose loses the tea chests and hint of peach and gains lychee, damp cardboard and ash. The body gains more lychee and some hints of ginger, and more wood smoke. The finish gains a little ginger.

An interesting dram which I'd think of as lightly peated, but I'd certainly drink again!

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!