72.67 - Daffodils captured in honey

9 years old, distilled 10th October 2008, 56.3% abv, First Fill Ex-Bourbon Barrel, 226 bottles, dram price A

SMWS 72.67 - Daffodils captured in honeyThe nose has bundles of twigs in springtime, pencil cases, honey, grassy meadows, apricots and pears. The mouthfeel is thin with no cling. The body has pencil shavings, oranges, apricots, honey and cinnamon. The finish has pencil shavings, pears and cinnamon.

Water brings out thick, brief whorling that doesn't mottle. The nose gains much more apricot and loses some of the wood notes - now more like polished wood than shavings. The body gains more orange and cinnamon, and loses much of the pencil shavings. The finish gains more cinnamon.

A complicated dram with plenty going on. It got a bit too much cinnamon for my tastes when water was added, but is still decent and fascinating.

One for winter mornings on your porridge.

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!