12 years old, distilled 7th July 2009, 59.0% abv, second fill ex-bourbon barrel, 206 bottles, dram price C

The nose has lemon chew sweets, foam bananas and sugared almonds. The mouthfeel is thin with no cling. The body has lemon, banana, ginger and a hint of polished oak. The finish has ginger, lemon and polished wood.

Water brings out thin, rapidly expanding whorling that settles into lingering mottling. The nose gains polished oak. The body gains more ginger and polished oak. The finish gains more lemon and loses some of the ginger.

A very good bourbon Speysider. In the rush to push “luxury” sherried whiskies, it’s always good to have a competent bourbon cask that works well with the spirit...

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.