96.31 - Poised and balanced

10 years old, distilled 30th October 2008, 60.5% abv, First Fill Ex-Pedro Ximenez Hogshead, 272 bottles, dram price B

96.31 - Poised and balancedThe nose has caramel, créme brûlée, oranges, and hints of cinder toffee. The mouthfeel is thin with no cling. The body has candied oranges, cinder toffee and soft caramel. The finish has soft caramel and orange fondant.

Water brings out thin, compact whorling that settles into brief mottling. The nose gains more caramel and cinder toffee, and loses some of the oranges. The body gains more cinder toffee and Seville oranges. The finish gains heavier oranges and cinder toffee.

A superb dram - soft and sweet without water, big and heavy with it.

One for autumn afternoons.

Technical score: 4.5/5

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.