17 years old, distilled 11th September 2003, 56.2% abv, First Fill Ex-Bourbon Barrel, 203 bottles, dram price D

The nose has freshly cut grass, herb gardens and hints of jasmine. The body has marzipan and banana and then cinnamon rolls in. The finish has banana, papaya, cinnamon and fresh cut grass.

Water brings out thin, rapidly expanding whorling that dissipates quickly. The nose gains banana, papaya, pears, cream soda and loses the freshly cut grass. The body gains pears, more papaya, vanilla and loses the cinnamon. The finish gains vanilla and loses the freshly cut grass.

A decent summer dram with a little spice and plenty of fruit.

One for summer mornings to wake you up.

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.