G10.35 - The oak has spoke

15 years old, distilled 12th July 2005, 62.1% abv, Second Fill Ex-Bourbon HTMC Hogshead, 222 bottles, dram price B

SMWS G10.35 - The oak has spokeThe nose has toasted oak, vanilla, cinnamon, macadamia nuts and hints of lemon. The mouthfeel is thin with no cling. The body has more oak - vanilla, cinnamon, lemon, then moving towards ginger. The finish is vanilla, lemon, ginger, cinnamon, and hints of cardamom and even star anise as it dries.

Water brings out thin, compact whorling that settles quickly into brief mottling. The nose gains more lemon and cinnamon and loses the macadamia nuts. The body gains more lemon and the spice becomes delayed, moving back towards the finish. The ginger is also diminished a little. The finish gains more star anise and loses some of the ginger.

An intriguing dram - lots and lots of wood, but very well presented and quite refreshing. The warmth of the spices isn’t to my preference, but not overwhelming.

One for starting autumn evenings.

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.