8 years old, distilled 28th October 2008, 59.4% abv, First Fill Ex-Bourbon Barrel, 218 bottles, dram price A

The nose has toffee, caramel, pineapple and a hint of waxiness. The mouthfeel is thin with no cling. The body has pineapple, red apples, vanilla and a little hint of lemon. The finish is lemon and then lingering toffee and honey notes.

Water bring out thick whorling that rapidly expands and settles into brief mottling. The nose now gains vanilla and golden syrup, and loses the hint of wax. The body gains more pineapple and toffee, and a little spiced pear. The finish gains a hint of ginger - perhaps that was the spice in the pears?

A superb aperitif.

4.5/5