14 years old, distilled 29th May 2007, 56.4% abv, First Fill Ex-Pedro Ximinez Spanish Oak Butt, 578 bottles, dram price C

The nose has crystallised orange cake decorations, milk chocolate and caramel. The mouthfeel is thin with a little cling. The body has orange flavoured chew sweets, milk chocolate, caramel, and a hint of crystallised ginger. The finish has oranges, milk chocolate and crystallised ginger.

Water brings out thick, rapidly expanding whorling that dissipates without mottling. The nose gains more caramel and some marzipan, and loses the orange cake decorations. The body gains grilled peppers and ginger. The finish gains grilled peppers and more ginger.

A decent sherried dram, clean and fruity with plenty of other notes to interest the drinker. Lighter than its two sherryings might suggest, it’s well integrated and a pleasure to drink.

One for summer evenings.

Technical score: 4.5/5
Personal preference: I’d like a 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.