15 years old, distilled 23rd October 2006, 61.8% abv, Second Fill Ex-PX Hogshead, 264 bottles

The nose has old oak furniture, lemon tarts, apricot and hints of straw. The body has more oak, apricot, then some caramel and finally hints of ginger. The finish has oak, apricot and ginger.

Water brings out thick, very short-lived whorling that doesn’t settle. The nose gains tobacco leaves and the PX really starts to show. The finish gains red wine sauce and sherry.

A dram which needs water to show its sherry properly, but has a decent balanced and oakier start before water.

One for autumn evenings.

Technical score: 4/5
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.