17 years old, distilled 9th May 2002, 55.2% abv, Second Fill Ex-Bourbon Barrel, 206 bottles, dram price D

The nose has fresh cut grass, rosewater, and pears. The mouthfeel is thin with no cling. The body has fresh cut grass, pears, sponge cake and hints of rosewater. The finish is grassy with pear and rosewater.

Water brings out thin, rapidly expanding whorling that settles quickly into brief mottling. The nose gains lychee and loses the rosewater. The body gains lychee and papaya, and the grass is a little diminished. There’s a hint of marzipan towards the end. The finish gains lychee and loses a little of the grass.

A bright, fresh, summery dram that’s got an almost perfect balance.

One for summer afternoons.

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.