7.210 - Fruit matrix

25 years old, distilled 16th April 1993, 48.5% abv, Refill Ex-Bourbon Hogshead, 85 bottles, dram price G

SMWS 7.210 - Fruit matrixThe nose has peach, pear, green apple, greengages, fruits of the forest and candle wax and a hint of rosewater and herb gardens. The mouthfeel is thin with no cling. The body has pear, green apple, pencil shavings, fruits of the forest and hints of rosewater. The finish is pear and rosewater.

Water brings out tight, thin, rapidly expanding whorling that quickly settles into lingering mottling. The nose gains more pear and some lemon, and loses the candle wax. The body gains more pear and fruits of the forest loses the pencil shavings, instead gaining waxiness and some marzipan. It also loses a little of the rosewater. The finish gains marzipan.

A curious dram that changes significantly with water, but not unrecognisably. Perhaps more of a technical, tasting whisky than an everyday drinker...

One for whisky tastings.

Technical score: 4.5/5

Personal preference: I'd have another dram.