9 years old, distilled 21st September 2010, 61.6% abv, First Fill Ex-Bourbon Barrel, 200 bottles, dram price A

The nose has “meadow fresh” fabric softener, green apples, pears and a hint of walnut. The mouthfeel is thin with no cling. The body has more of those light floral notes, lemon, green apple, barley sugar water, fresh oak (sappy), and walnuts. The finish has fresh oak, lemon, green apple and walnuts.

Water brings out thin, compact whorling that settles into brief mottling. The nose gains more green apples, and some fresh oak - and loses the floral notes. There’s also a slightly dusty note. The body gains more oak and some more walnut, plus some dry dusty earthiness (dusty trails when the mud has baked dry). The fruit is still there, but so is more nuttiness and a hint of chilli. The finish gains more oak and walnut, and some chilli powder. It loses the green apple but retains the lemon.

A decent dram but the move to oak after water lost much of what I found charming. Not a bad dram though, especially at this young age and high ABV.

One for spring afternoons.

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.