16 years old, distilled 22nd May 2002, 56.6% abv, First Fill Ex-Bourbon Barrel, 166 bottles, dram price F

The nose has lemon, vanilla, custard, and candied lemon cake decorations and hints of apple sherbet and hazelnut. The mouthfeel is thin with no cling. The body has dried pineapple, banana and apple, then lemon, vanilla and hazelnut. The finish has candied lemon and custard.

Water brings out thin, rapidly expanding whorling that settles into lingering mottling. The nose gains pineapple and strawberry to balance out the lemon. The body gains pineapple (not dried) and more vanilla, along with a hint of lemon zest. The finish gains pineapple and loses some of the custard, gaining hints of cinnamon and white chocolate.

A lovely light dram that nicely balances its flavours - not complex, but the high praise of “session dram” could well be used here!

One for summer afternoons in the shade.

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.