24 years old, distilled 25th April 1995, 53.7% abv, Second Fill Ex-Pedro Ximinez Hogshead, 195 bottles, dram price G

The nose has candied fruits - oranges and lemons - and hints of toffee and cinnamon. The mouthfeel is thin with no cling. The body has more of the candied oranges and cinnamon, plus caramel, toffee, and then hints of star anise. The finish has oranges, cinnamon and star anise - getting hotter as it dries.

Water brings out thin, rapidly vanishing whorling that settles without mottling. The nose gains rich caramel notes and more cinnamon. The body gains cinnamon, star anise, more oranges and it loses some of the toffee in favour of more caramel. The finish gains more star anise.

Not too hot for me, but not a pleasant finish. Well constructed, but it always felt thin and it’s surprisingly spritely for its age.

One for autumn evenings.

Technical score: 3.5/5

Personal preference: Just the one dram, thanks.

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.