11 years old, distilled 31st May 2007, 58.3% abv, Second Fill Ex-Bourbon Barrel, 201 bottles, dram price B

The nose has pears, baked apples and hints of dry dusty summer earth. The mouthfeel is thin with no cling. The body has toffee, caramel, pears, and then custard and cinnamon. The finish has caramel, pears and cinnamon. (But isn’t hot.)

Water brings out thick, rapidly expanding whorling that settles into lingering mottling. The nose gains caramel and toffee but loses the dusty earth. The body gains caramel, toffee and hen a big hit of cinnamon. The finish gains a lot more cinnamon.

Water killed this dram for me. A pity, as I enjoyed it before the cinnamon took over...

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.