A single cask bottling from a refill hogshead by Douglas Laing, the independent bottlers, with the addition of colouring or chill filtration. The nose is quite strong at first with very light aromas of heather, vanilla, oak and malt. Even with some hand warming it remains closed. With the addition of a little water the aromas are very earthy and damp; like wet clay followed by some industrial notes. Additionally it’s very sweet with hints of leather. Quite a varied nose. The taste is both sweet and strong with a secondary layer of green malt, espresso and oak. It quickly becomes very dry and malty. With water it is (it takes quite a bit) both malty and chocolaty. The finish is long and warming with vanilla, malt, dry oak notes and some later stages of green plump malt. The maltiness continues for some time.

Not a hint of smoke anywhere and a very nice dram that certainly likes water which makes it quite delicious..

Score 86 Points

C$115

http://www.douglaslaing.com/