11 years old, distilled 30th March 2006, 58.8% abv, Virgin Oak Hogshead, 262 bottles, dram price B

The nose has fine soft leather, apricots, plums, bananas and a hint of mint leaf. The mouthfeel is thin with no cling. The body has apricots, plums, cardamom and vanilla. The finish is vanilla and cardamom.

Water brings out thin, rapidly spreading whorling that lingers as thin stringy mottling. The nose gains oranges, more banana and loses the hint of mint leaf. There's now also a faint floral hint. The body gains cinnamon and more cardamom, and loses the plums. The finish gains some oranges.

The body never quite lived up to the nose - this would be a decent dram for a hipflask on winter days, where the body heat will give it the appropriate kick start...

2.5/5