12 years old, distilled 5th January 2007, 61.9% abv, First Fill Ex-Bourbon Barrel, 208 bottles, dram price B

The nose has marshmallow, midget gems, honey and hints of aniseed and liquorice. The mouthfeel is thin with no cling. The body has toffee, burnt oak, midget gems, honey and liquorice. The finish has aniseed, cinnamon and toffee.

Water brings out thin, compact and brief whorling that dissipates without much mottling. The nose gains more toffee and some barley notes, and loses a little of the liquorice. The body gains more toffee and some digestive biscuit, then aniseed. The finish gains more aniseed.

Not my style of dram, the finish has an aggressive heat that. A pity, as the flavours are all superb.

One for autumn afternoons.

Technical score: 3.5/5

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.