71.61 - Orange blossom in botanical gardens

11 years old, distilled 5th September 2007, 55.1% abv, First Fill Ex-Bourbon Barrel, 224 bottles, dram price B

SMWS 71.61 - Orange blossom in botanical gardensThe nose has rosewater, lavender soaps, geraniums and hints of lemon bon-bons. The mouthfeel is thin with no cling. The body has rosewater, lemon bon-bons, crystallised ginger and cinnamon. The finish has lemon bon-bons and stem ginger, with a little cinnamon.

Water brings out thin, compact whorling that settles quickly into brief mottling. The nose gains more geranium and some ginger, and loses the rosewater. The body gains caramel and more lemon, and loses the rosewater and cinnamon. The finish sees the ginger move towards crystallised rather than stem, and there’s less cinnamon.

A very nice light, sweet dram with no spice heat - just the flavours. I preferred the initial nose, but it certainly wasn’t bad after water.

One for summer afternoons.

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.