29 years old, distilled 1st May 1989, 54.7% abv, Second Fill Ex-Bourbon Barrel, 241 bottles, dram price F

The nose has cornflakes, burnt oak, vanilla, and coconut. The mouthfeel is thin with no cling. The body has lemon, lime, dessicated coconut, vanilla and a little papaya in the background. The finish has vanilla, lemon and coconut.

Water brings out thin, rapidly expanding whorling that settles quickly into brief mottling. The nose gains warm croissants and loses the burnt oak. The body gains warm croissants, menthol, balsa wood, and a little ginger towards the finish. The lime and papaya are gone. The finish gains balsa wood, menthol, ginger and more vanilla.

I wasn’t sure about the burnt oak note, but it didn’t go through to the palate. After water, this dram really switched from fruit to wood, which I enjoyed. It’s a decent and complex grain whisky that remains balanced and interesting.

One for summer mornings, sitting in the shade.

Technical score: 4.5/5

Personal preference: I’d like a 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.