32 years old, distilled 19th June 1986, 45.8% abv, First Fill Ex-Oloroso Hogshead, 227 bottles, dram price I

The nose has brown sugar, toffee, fennel, menthol and more - sweet and light yet dense with flavours! The mouthfeel is thin with no cling. The body has menthol, brown sugar, caramel, plums and hints of cherries and orange peel. The finish has caramel, orange peel and plums.

Water brings out thin, compact whorling that settles slowly into mottling. The nose gains cherries and orange peel, and loses much of the fennel and menthol (but not completely). The body gains orange peel and orange concentrate, and loses the plums. The finish gains more orange peel, some cherry and loses the plums.

Quite the graceful experience, this has worked well with the cask.

One for winter afternoons.

Technical score: 4.5/5

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!