54.78 - Sugarcane flowers in Speyside

16 years old, distilled 2nd October 2002, 60.4% abv, Refill Ex-Rum Barrel, 149 bottles, dram price D

SMWS 54.78 - Sugarcane flowers in SpeysideThe nose has hard toffee, caramel, demerara sugar and hints of oak. The mouthfeel is thin with no cling. The body has wood spices, caramel, demerara sugar and old oak furniture. The finish has cinnamon, cardamom, caramel, and demerara sugar. Not too hot.

Water brings out thick, rapidly expanding whorling that settles quickly into brief mottling. The nose gains cardamom and rum notes. The body gains cinnamon, cardamom, and loses the old oak furniture. It’s also quite warm. The finish gains the same spices.

Fine before water, although dominated a little by the rum, this dram is a bit too warm after water for me.

One for winter afternoons.

Technical score: 3/5

Personal preference: Just the one dram, thanks.

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.