9 years old, 4th February 2009, 50.3% abv, Refill Ex-Bourbon Hogshead, 152 bottles, dram price A

The nose has pears, red apples, cinnamon and hints of cardamom. The mouthfeel is thin with no cling. The body has pears, peaches, red apples and then apricot yoghurt, before a final note of cinnamon. The finish has cinnamon and pears with some apricot.

Water brings out tight, thin whorling that settles quickly into brief mottling. The nose gains strawberry and lemon fruit gums, and loses the cinnamon and cardamom. The body gains the same fruit gum notes, and a little more cinnamon. The finish gains lemon and some more cinnamon.

A very nice sweet light dram with plenty of fruit and some spice to balance it.

One for summer evenings.

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.