8 years old, distilled 11th September 2015, 62.4% abv, First Fill Ex-Bourbon Barrel, 1764 bottles, dram price D

The nose has celery, pickles, lemons and hints of distant bonfire smoke. The mouthfeel is thin with no cling. The body has pickles, lemon, tortilla chips and cracked black pepper. The finish has lemon, bonfire smoke and cracked black pepper.

Water brings out tight, thin whorling that settles quickly into very brief mottling. The nose gains more lemon and smoke, and hints of fennel. The body gains some lavender, fennel and more smoke. The finish gains more smoke.

A smokey, slightly fruity and vegetal dram that will excite many, but isn’t quite my style. I’d still have another dram though...

One for autumn evenings.

Technical score: 4.5/5
Personal preference: I’d have another dram.

This spirit was provided by the SMWS in a preview session - thanks to them for that. Full editorial control has been retained in the tasting process.