13 years old, distilled 28th April 2006, 58.9% abv, First Fill Charred Ex-Red Wine Barrique, 198 bottles, dram price C

The nose has pear, herb gardens, and a hint of smoke. The mouthfeel is thin with no cling. The body has toffee, pear, herb gardens and a hint of smoke. The finish has herb gardens and a touch of bonfire smoke.

Water brings out thin, rapidly expanding whorling that settles quickly into brief mottling. The nose gains honey and dried apple, and loses the pear. The body gains more toffee and a touch of ginger. The finish gains dried apple and ginger and loses the herb gardens.

A very nice lightly smoked dram, with th red wine cask having delivered a nice little touch of fruit and ginger.

One for autumn afternoons.

Technical score: 4/5

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.