8 years old, distilled 24th March 2011, 58.7% abv, Second Fill Ex-Bourbon Barrel, 217 bottles, dram price D

The nose has brine, bonfire smoke and a little hint of TCP - not much. The mouthfeel is thin with no cling. The body has a lot of brine and vanilla, some smoke, followed by liniment and old (1960s) first aid kits. The finish is liniment, bonfire smoke and vanilla.

Water brings out thin, rapidly expanding whorling that settles into brief mottling. The nose gains a lot more smoke, and a hint of dusty earth. The body gains more bonfire smoke and some hints of lemon and ash. The finish gains ash and a little more liniment, plus hints of lemon.

Not what I expected from this distillery - lighter on the medicinal, and that lemon note isn’t something I associate. This is a lighter, sweeter release.

One for winter mornings.

Technical score: 3.5/5

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.