10 years old, distilled 18th October 2012, 60.5% abv, First Fill Ex-Oloroso Hogshead, 277 bottles, dram price C

The nose has pot pourri, vanilla and hints of brown sugar. The mouthfeel is thin with no cling. The body has shortbread, brown sugar and then chillis. The finish has chillis and brown sugar.

Water brings out thin, compact whorling that dissipates quickly without mottling. The nose gains shortbread and hints of ryvita. The body gains toffee and loses the shortbread. The finish gains more chillis.

Not really my kind of dram, with those spicy notes - but the sweetness was attractive.

One for spring evenings.

Technical score: 4/5
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.