68.24 - A sawdust-covered luthier

8 years old, distilled 8th February 2010, 59.7% abv, Re-Charred Hogshead, 262 bottles, dram price A

SMWS 68.24 - A sawdust-covered luthierThe nose has fresh oak, fruits of the forest and a hint of herb garden. The mouthfeel is thin with no cling. The body has sawdust, pencil shavings, fruits of the forest, old leather, and then lots of oak towards the finish. The finish has fresh, sappy oak and sawdust.

Water brings out thin whorling that barely has a chance to expand before it dissipates. The nose gains more fresh oak, and loses the fruits of the forest. The body gains more leather and some white chocolate, and there’s cinnamon towards the end. The finish gains a little cinnamon.

A curious dram - lots of oak, but it’s fresh and sappy, not charred as the barrel suggests.

One for autumn afternoons.

Technical score: 3/5

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.