15 years old, distilled 21st August 2002, 57.9% abv, First Fill Ex-Red Wine Barrique, 184 bottles, dram price C

The nose has fruits of the forest, dusty bookshelves and a little toffee. The mouthfeel is thin with no cling. The body has fruits of the forest, plums, apricot and then toffee and hints of caramel. The finish has toffee pennies and fruits of the forest.

Water brings out thin, rapidly expanding whorling that settles into brief mottling. The nose gains peach, apricot and hints of mango, and loses the fruits of the forest. The body gains peach and some cinnamon, and loses the plums and fruits of the forest. The finish gains cinnamon and apricot, and loses the fruits of the forest.

A very nice dram, with a decent change to the fruits once water is added.

One for summer afternoons.

Technical score: 4/5

Personal preference: I'd like a 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!