12 years old, distilled 5th March 2009, 59.8% abv, First Fill Ex-Bourbon Barrel, 234 bottles, dram price C

The nose has farmyard muddiness (but not silage) with a bonfire nearby burning damp wood. There’s also muted notes of lemon and floral bouquets in the background. The mouthfeel is thin with some cling. The body has lemon and those floral bouquets, then apples and pears followed by the bonfire smoke from the nose. The finish has lemon and bonfire smoke, with a hint of pear.

Water brings out thin, rapidly expanding whorling that settles quickly without mottling. The nose gains sour apples notes, and more of those floral bouquets. The body gains sour apple sherbet sweets, some watch oil, and loses a little of the smoke. The finish gains sour apples, watch oil, and loses the pear.

A fine dram that manages to be fruity, floral, smokey and oily all at once. It’s hard to complain when the unusual is also so pleasantly remarkable.

One for summer evenings.

Technical score: 4.5/5
Personal preference: I’d like more than one bottle.

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.