12 years old, distilled 5th August 2006, 59.3% abv, Refill Ex-Bourbon Hogshead, 288 bottles, dram price B

The nose has pot pourri, dried tobacco leaves, lemon and new oak furniture. The mouthfeel is thin with no cling. The body has lemon, lavender, new oak furniture and old leather tobacco pouches. The finish has cinnamon, old leather tobacco pouches and lemon.

Water brings out thin, rapidly expanding whorling that settles into brief mottling. The dried tobacco leaves become old leather tobacco pouches, and the lemon is a little stronger. The body gains more lemon and tobacco. The finish gains more lemon and a touch of cinnamon.

A curious dram indeed, not too spicy but definitely sweet and filled with interesting flavours. Something quite chimeric, as I suspect everyone will get something different from it.

One for autumnal afternoons.

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.