12 years old, distilled 27th April 2011, 50.0% abv, Multiple cask types, dram price C

The nose has apples, toffee, heather, orange peel and hints of bonfire smoke. The mouthfeel is thin with no cling. The body has toffee, dried pineapple, heather, bonfire smoke and hints of machine oil. The finish is bonfire smoke, orange peel, heather and machine oil.

Water brings out tight, thin whorling that dissipates without mottling. The nose gains more heather and apple and some shoreline breezes, but loses the orange peel and some of the smoke. The body gains salted caramel and loses the dried pineapple. The finish gains more machine oil and loses the orange peel.

A superb blended malt, which meets its goal of bringing both Islay and Orkney styles together.

One for summer afternoons.

Technical score: 5/5
Personal preference: I’d like a bottle.

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.