8 years old, distilled 12th October 2010, 61.1% abv, Second Fill Ex-Bourbon Toasted Hogshead, 257 bottles, dram price C

The nose has toffee, caramel, dry bonfire smoke and seafood barbecues. The mouthfeel is thin with no cling. The body has caramel, dry bonfire smoke, barbecued shrimps and a little hint of lemon. The finish has dry bonfire smoke and a hint of caramel.

Water brings out thick, compact whorling that settles into brief mottling. The nose gains more caramel and a hint of herbs. The body gains a hint of rosemary. The finish is unchanged.
A superb dram. Some have complained that we may be “saving substandard whisky” with our cask finishes - if so, we should save a lot more casks this way!

One for autumn evenings.

Technical score: 4/5

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.