14 years old, distilled 5th March 2001, 57.6% abv, first fill ex-bourbon barrel, 231 bottles

The nose has soft notes of exotic wood - sandalwood, camphor wood, and then a little pear. The mouthfeel is thick with a little cling. The body has custard creams, damson and then intense cinnamon. The finish is cinnamon and vanilla.

Water brings out thin, compact whorling that settles quickly into fine mottling for a moment. The nose now has less pear, but gains a little caramel alongside the wood notes. The body simply shifts balance - more damson, less cinnamon. The finish is much the same.

A good dram for dinner.

3.5/5