7 years old, distilled 17th November 2011, 64.1% abv, Refill Ex-Sherry Butt, 536 bottles, dram price A

The nose has fino sherry, new make and dried peach. The mouthfeel is thin with no cling. The body has a full on sherry hit, with dried strawberries and apples alongside fino sherry and then a little sponge cake. The finish has fino sherry, dried apples and a little hint of strawberry.

Water brings out thin, rapidly expanding whorling that settles quickly into brief mottling. The nose gains peach (not dried) and apricot, and loses the dried fruits. The body gains peaches, pears and almonds and loses the dried apples. The finish gains more strawberry, apricot and almonds, and loses the dried apples.

A superb dram. A delight, and proof that you don’t need to be an old whisky to benefit from a sherry cask.

One for summer afternoons.

Technical score: 4.5/5

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.