6 years old, distilled 14th February 2017, 51.0% abv, New Charred Oak Barrel, 257 bottles, dram price D

The nose has ginger beer, barbecue sauce, and hints of apple juice. The mouthfeel is thick with no cling. The body has barbecue sauce, apple juice, caramel and hints of cinnamon. The finish has cinnamon and ginger beer.

Water brings out thick, rapidly expanding whorling that dissipates quickly without mottling. The nose gains rye bread and hints of lemon, and loses the barbecue sauce. The body gains lemon juice and rye bread. The finish gains rye bread and lemon.

A gentler kind of rye whisky, this packs fruit and cereal into a well balanced package.

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.