11 years old, distilled 20th May 2008, 59.6% abv, First Fill Ex-Oloroso Butt, 609 bottles, dram price B

The nose has madeira, raisins, sultanas and cinder toffee. The mouthfeel is thin with a little cling. The body has raisins, sultanas, cinder toffee, dark chocolate, coffee grounds and a hint of cinnamon. The finish has dark chocolate, cinder toffee and cinnamon.

Water brings out thick, rapidly expanding whorling that dissipates without mottling. The nose gains seville oranges and more cinder toffee, and loses the sultanas. The body gains more raisins, dark chocolate and loses the coffee grounds. The finish gains madeira and loses the dark chocolate.

What a stunner. This cask did a superb job.

One for winter afternoons.

Technical score: 5/5

Personal preference: I’d like more than one bottle.

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.