9 years old, distilled 29th August 2008, 62.4% abv, First-Fill Ex-Bourbon Barrel, 234 bottles, dram price B

The nose has oak shavings, lavender, violets an a hint of apricot. The mouthfeel is thin with no cling. The body has lavender, violet, apricot, peach, lychee and a hint of toffee. The finish has toffee and apricot.

Water brings out thick, rapidly expanding whorling that settles into brief mottling. The nose gains rosewater and loses the lavender and violets somewhat. The body gains vanilla and ginger, and loses much of the florality. It also loses the peach and apricot, replaced by toffee and fudge. The finish is ginger and vanilla with some toffee.

The ginger after water is a little more than I'd like - but the initial nose and body are superb.

One for summer evenings.

Technical score: 4/5

Personal preference: I'd have another dram.