88.18 - All-purpose wasp repellent

9 years old, distilled 5th March 2009, 52.9% abv, Refill Ex-Bourbon Barrel, 222 bottles, dram price B

SMWS 88.18 - All-purpose wasp repellentThe nose has hard-boiled lemon travel sweets (with the sugar dusting!), and tropical fruit juices (papaya, mango) and a hint of soft toffee. The mouthfeel is thin with no cling. The body has lemon, papaya, pineapple, and then some soft toffee. The finish is soft toffee with lemon and pineapple.

Water brings out thin, rapidly expanding whorling that settles quickly into brief mottling. The nose gains more papaya and some honeyed notes, and loses some of the soft toffee. The body gains some more lemon, and loses the toffee somewhat. The finish gains more lemon and loses some of the toffee. Overall, not a huge change - but then it really didn’t need it.

Quite simple, but very drinkable. I suspect this will be a dangerous bottle to own, as you may not realise just how quickly it “evaporates”!

One for summer afternoons.

Technical score: 4.5/5

Personal preference: I’d like a bottle.

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.