12 years old, distilled 29th August 2006, 58.5% abv, Refill Ex-Bourbon Hogshead, 319 bottles, dram price B

The nose has peaches, apricots, fruits of the forest and kiwi fruit, with toffee in the background. The mouthfeel is thin with no cling. The body has lightly toasted bread, butter, apricots, fruits of the forest and a little hint of all spice. The finish has apricots, toasted bread, toffee and all spice.

Water brings out thick, rapidly expanding whorling that settles quickly into very brief mottling. The nose gains more of the lightly toasted bread and loses the peaches. The body gains more apricot and hints of lime, and loses the all spice. The finish gains more apricot and some lime, and loses the all spice.

A lovely light fruity dram that balances a few other flavours very well.

One for summer mornings.

Technical score: 4.5/5

Personal preference: I’d like a bottle.

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.