15 years old, distilled 2nd March 2004, 57.1% abv, Refill Ex-Bourbon Hogshead, 272 bottles, dram price C

The nose has vanilla, new oak furniture, cedar wood, pears, wine gums and a hint of dried flowers. The mouthfeel is thin with no cling. The body has lemon, fennel seeds, new oak furniture, and dried flowers. The finish has lemon, fennel seeds and dried flowers.

Water brings out thick, rapidly expanding whorling that settles quickly into lingering mottling. The nose gains lemon and “meadow fresh” fabric conditioner, and loses much of the wood. The body gains soft lemon notes and loses the some of the fennel seeds. The finish gains more lemon and some fresh floral notes.

A very nice fresh dram, led by wood then fruit.

One for spring evenings.

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.