12 years old, distilled 29th August 2006, 58.6% abv, Refill Ex-Bourbon Hogshead, 321 bottles, dram price B

The nose has toffee, new oak furniture, hard pears and hints of gooseberry. The mouthfeel is thin with no cling. The body has toffee, red apples, pears and oak sap. The finish has toffee, oak sap and a little cinnamon.

Water brings out tight, thin, rapidly expanding whorling that settles into brief mottling. The nose gains more pear, watch oil, and a little dry earthiness. The body gains red apples and more cinnamon. The finish gains cinnamon.

Clean, fresh, with some delightful notes counterbalanced by the oil and earthiness after water, this is a very decent dram from an overlooked distillery.
One for summer lunchtimes, in the heat with the mad dogs.

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.