115.9 - Midnight drambler

8 years old, distilled 2nd September 2009, 59.8% abv, Refill Ex-Bourbon Barrel, 227 bottles, dram price A

115.9 - Midnight dramblerThe nose has plum, green apple, greengages and a hint of dusty earth. The mouthfeel is thin with no cling. The body has plums and greengages, then earthiness and finally cinnamon and cardamom. The finish is earthy, with plums and building cinnamon.

Water brings out thick, rapidly expanding whorling that settles into lingering mottling. The nose gains more fruit - hints of lemon and lime. The body gains lemon and loses the earthiness. The finish gains cloves and more cinnamon.

The name attracted Matt of the Dramble immediately. I can assure you, this tastes nothing like the Drambler we all know and love. It has the fruitiness we’ve come to expect of him, but I’m less impressed by the spiciness. Matt himself is much better behaved than this dram. (Mostly.)

One for autumn afternoons.

Technical score: 3/5

Personal preference: Just the one dram, thanks.

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.