13 years old, distilled 21st November 2008, 59.1% abv, Second Fill Ex-Peated Barrel, 212 bottles

The nose has old paint tins, deep heat, fishing boats unloading at the dock, hints of playdoh - a very odd combination! The body has old paint tins and deep heat, lime, sour apple sweets and icing sugar. The finish has old paint tins, sour apple sweets and icing sugar.

Water brings out tight, rapidly expanding whorling that settles as brief mottling before dissipating. The nose gains hard sun-baked earthiness, and loses the hint of playdoh. The body gains some lemon and dry earth and loses the sour apple sweets. The finish gains dry earthiness and lemons but loses the sour apples sweets.

The unwatered nose had plenty of chemical notes - almost equivalent to many grain whiskies, so I really shouldn’t complain. But they were very much unexpected! This dram is an oddity, and very hard to categorise.

One for summer afternoons in the garden.

Technical score: 4/5
Personal preference: I’d have another dram.

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.