13 years old, distilled 12th July 2005, 60.9% abv, Second Fill Heavy Toasted Hogshead, 204 bottles, dram price B

The nose has toffee, pencil shavings, and a little vinegar. The mouthfeel is thin with no cling, The body has toffee, fresh oak, and light beer. The finish has toffee, light beer and oak sap.

Water brings out thin, rapidly expanding whorling that settles into brief mottling. The nose gains popcorn and more oak notes and the vinegar is lessened. The body gains more oak and beer yeast, plus some tikka spices, but loses nothing. The finish gains a little tikka and some sawdust.

This is an odd one. Young grain, with a custom cask, and it’s the beeriest whisky I’ve had since the IPA cask experiment.

One for autumn 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.