8 years old, distilled 16th April 2016, 58.2% abv, Refill Ex-Bourbon Barrels & HTMC Chinkapin Oak, 1405 bottles, dram price B

The nose has orange, toffee, apple juice and hints of tea chests. The mouthfeel is thin with no cling. The body has caramel, dried apple, pot pourri and hints of black pepper. The finish has apple juice and cracked black pepper.

Water brings out tight, rapidly expanding whorling that dissipates without mottling. The nose gains pot pourri notes and burnt oak, and loses the oranges and apple juice. The body gains baked rhubarb and more wood spices (nutmeg, cinnamon). The finish gains baked rhubarb and a little nutmeg.

An interesting dram which pulls off the combination of casks quite well.

One for autumn afternoons.

Technical score: 4/5
Personal preference: Just the one dram, thanks.

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.