85.45 - The lemon rocket ship

8 years old, distilled 25th October 2007, 61.8% abv, First-Fill Ex-Bourbon Barrel, 210 bottles

SMWS 85.45 - The lemon rocket shipThe nose has lemon, green apples and hints of rhubarb. The mouthfeel is thin with no cling. The body has lemon, honeycomb, and green apples. The finish is quiet - lemon and rhubarb.

Water brings out tight, thin whorling that settles into brief mottling. The nose now gains mint leaves, and loses the green apples. The body has gained a chili note, through which some lemon barely shows. I couldn't taste much else, especially after the finish which lashed my palate thoroughly!

A great dram, but a spice chimera with water.

4/5 without water, 0/5 with.