16 years old, distilled 3rd April 1997, refill ex-bourbon hogshead, 55.5% abv, 291 bottles
The nose is sweet and quite light, taking a while to open - peanut oil, vanilla ice-cream with caramel swirls and a hint of cinnamon. The body is toffee at first, then opens up to deliver cinnamon, vanilla and tea. It then brings dried fruits - raisins and sultanas - and moves towards oranges, lemons, limes, and peaches at the back of the body. It’s a fruit explosion! The mouthfeel is decent. The fruit explosion continues into the finish, which is a party of fruit and cinnamon.
After water (which provides satisfyingly thick whorls), the nose has more caramel and a raisin bread note. The body is lighter, sweeter and fruitier - the toffee takes a back seat and the oranges and peaches are more dominant. There’s also a slightly brandyish note. The finish is sweet long and fruity - oranges, limes, raisins and peaches.
A superb dram for a summer’s afternoon, watching the energetically inclined waste their time in the garden. Chin chin!
4.5/5