9 years old, distilled 15th June 2011, 66.4% abv, First Fill Ex-Oloroso Butt, 556 bottles, dram price B

The nose has hazelnut and hints of red apples and blackberries. The mouthfeel is thin with no cling. The body has blackberries, red apples, hazelnut, cinnamon, cardamom and hints of dark chocolate and nutmeg. The finish has black berries, cinnamon, cardamom and nutmeg.

Water brings out thin, compact whorling that doesn’t linger. The nose gains cinnamon and sultanas (hot cross buns!), and loses the red apples and blackberries. The body gains more cinnamon and some raisins, but loses the red apples and blackberries.The finish gains more cinnamon and nutmeg.

This is by no means a bad whisky, but has delivered far too much spice for me. A shame, as the nougat and fruit notes are lovely.

One for winter afternoons.

Technical score: 4/5
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.