7.195 - If Rabbie Burns did afternoon tea

13 years old, distilled 22nd September 2003, 60.1% abv, First Fill Ex-Bourbon Barrel, 180 bottles, dram price C

SMWS 7.195 - If Rabbie Burns did afternoon teaThe nose is somewhat quiet - red apples, toffee, and hints of wafer biscuits. The mouthfeel is thin with no cling. The body has red apples, plums, marzipan and ginger, and hints of chilli. The finish is quiet with marzipan and ginger.

Water brings out thin, rapidly expanding whorling that dissipates quickly without a chance to mottle. The nose gains plums and damsons, and is much more prominent. The wafer biscuit note is gone. The body gains more chilli, and loses the red apples. The chill builds and slightly shuts down my tongue, but there's more wood notes (oak shavings in a workshop) before my palate dies. The finish gains cinnamon and vanilla, and loses the marzipan.

One for winter mornings.

2.5/5 (Right on the edge of my palate - if you can handle chilli, add at least a point.)

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!