8 years old, distilled 1st October 2009, 59.3% abv, First Fill Ex-Bourbon Barrel, 234 bottles, dram price A

The nose has meadow flowers and lime juice with a hint of caramel. The mouthfeel is thin with no cling. The body has caramel, peanut brittle and chillis. The finish has lime juice, chillis and a touch of caramel.

Water brings out tight, rapidly expanding whorling that dissipates quickly without mottling. The nose gains peach melba yoghurt and loses the caramel. The body gains more chilli, almost shutting down my palette. The finish gains peaches and chilli.

A lovely dram but that chilli note shuts down my palette somewhat, but excellently constructed and with lovely fruit notes that appear after water - I just wish the chilli wasn’t affecting my ability to taste them.

One for summer afternoons.

Technical score: 4/5
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.