10.186 - Vivacious vitality

11 years old, distilled 3rd October 2007, 58.2% abv, First Fill Ex-Bourbon Hogshead, 221 bottles, dram price C

SMWS 10.186 - Vivacious vitalityThe nose has caramel and vanilla alongside hints of brine. The mouthfeel is thin with no cling. The body has vanilla, caramel, heavily diluted orange juice from concentrate and hints of brine. The finish has caramel, diluted orange juice and brine.

Water brings out thin, rapidly expanding whorling that settles quickly into very brief mottling. The nose gains more caramel, lemon and some old oak. The body gains rock pools, soft lemon notes and more caramel. The finish gains rock pools, lemon and vanilla, with a little old oak.

Not a bad dram, but quiet. It will need more time to tease out its treasures, as though I’m back to being a child at a rock pool with a net.

One for summer evenings.

Technical score: 3/5

Personal preference: I’d have another dram.

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.