80.13 - Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee

12 years old, distilled 9th February 2007, 60.8% abv, Refill Ex-Bourbon Hogshead, 282 bottles, dram price B

80.13 - Float like a butterfly, sting like a beeThe nose has lime and sponge cake - quite gentle. The mouthfeel is thin with no cling. The body has lime, lemon, sponge cake, sugared barley water and a hint of sandalwood. The finish has lime and lemon with a hint of barley water.

Water brings out thick, rapidly spreading whorling that settles quickly into brief mottling. The nose gains more sponge cake and some mint leaves, losing the lime. The body gains mint and more lemon, and loses most of the lime. The finish gains mint leaves and loses some of the lime.

A decent dram that can’t quite decide which citrus to be, so you get to choose with water.

One for spring mornings.

Technical score: 3.5/5

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.