9 years old, distilled 16th July 2009, 60.8% abv, First Fill Ex-Bourbon Barrel, 212 bottles, dram price A

The nose has floral bouquets, green apples, pears and a hint of honey. The mouthfeel is thin with no cling. The body has green apples, lavender, honey and hints of peach. The finish has green apples and lavender.

Water brings out thin, rapidly expanding whorling that settles into lingering mottling. The nose gains hints peach and lavender, and loses the pears. The body gains peach and apricot. The finish gains peach.

This is a superbly balanced, enjoyable fruity and sweet dram. It’s hard to find fault with it - I’ve paid five times the price for things that were worse. Simply wonderful.

One for summer afternoons and evenings.

Technical score: 5/5

Personal preference: I’d like more than one 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.