29 years old, distilled 12th June 1989, 60.1% abv, Refill Ex-Bourbon Barrel, 181 bottles, dram price F

The nose has an initial hint of blackcurrant that quickly burns off and leaves butterscotch, vanilla sponge cake, lavender, toffee pennies and a little fudge. The mouthfeel is thin with a little cling. The body has crystallised ginger, maple syrup, toffee, fudge, lavender, butterscotch and vanilla. The finish has butterscotch, vanilla and crystallised ginger.

Water brings out thin, spindly whorling that settles but doesn’t mottle, it just fades away. The nose gains blackcurrant and maple syrup, but loses nothing. The body gains blackcurrant, hints of rosewater and the lavender is quieter. The finish is unchanged.

Simply stunning. A plethora of complementary flavours, all working brilliantly together. If anyone wants to slag off grain whisky, then they should at least buy me a dram of this muck so I can rid the world of it for them...

One for summer afternoons in the garden.

Technical score: 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.