38 years old, distilled 3rd December 1980, 48.5% abv, Second Fill Toasted Oak Hogshead, 147 bottles, dram price H

The nose has toffee, soft caramel, kiwi fruit, soft leather and hints of strawberry. The mouthfeel is thin with a little coating. The body has salted caramels, soft leather, kiwi fruit, pear, and hints of strawberry juice. The finish has toffee, caramel and a sudden hit of fresh oak.

Water brings out thick, rapidly expanding whorling that settles quickly into brief mottling. The nose gains burnt oak, burnt caramel, demerara sugar and loses the strawberry hints. There’s also a hint of rum. The body gains bananas and more soft leather, and loses the pears and strawberry hints. The finish gains soft leather and banana bread, and loses some of the fresh oak.

An elegant dram with superbly balanced flavours. One for autumn afternoons.

Technical score: 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.