28 years old, distilled 29th November 1990, 55.1% abv, New Charred Oak Barrel, 128 bottles, dram price F

The nose has rum, apricot, polished wood and hints of pineapple cubes. The mouthfeel is thin with no cling. The body has pineapple cubes, rum, toffee, polished wood and hints of liquorice. The finish has rum, liquorice and polished wood.

Water brings out thick, rapidly expanding whorling that dissipates quickly. The nose gains honey and golden syrup, with hints of cherry. The polished wood is more rounded, and the rum and apricot are diminished. The body gains cola cubes and naan bread, and loses the rum notes. The finish gains a little cinnamon spice, but not too much.

A wonderful dram - the finish has lifted the spirit and added those rounded polished wood notes, which really counterpoint the fruit and bread.

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.