13 years old, distilled 2nd April 2008, 62.9% abv, first fill ex-bourbon barrel, 166 bottles, dram price C

The nose has plums and dessert pears, with hints of exotic wooden jewellery boxes. The mouthfeel is thin with no cling. The body has unvarnished oak furniture, exotic wood, then plums and greengages followed by cinnamon dusting. The finish has cinnamon and hints of nutmeg.

Water brings out rapidly expanding whorling that settles quickly into brief mottling. The nose gains green apples, pears and greengages. The body gains pears and the fruit is raised above the spice. The finish gains plums, green apples and pears.

A decent dram that needs a little water to release the fruit. The spice was tolerable for me, but also increased with water.

One for autumn 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.