A sweet and spicy variation on a classic Speyside whisky, thanks to the unusual choice of maturation in Virgin Oak. The very malty character and flowery aromas of the spirit are preserved in spite of the very active influence from the cask. It’s curiously nutty, with a buttery body, a marked note of beeswax and a very fruity nose and taste of bananas, sultana raisins. Overall, it’s a rather chewy and sweet whisky, with a robustly oaky mouthfeel, supported by the slightly higher than usual alcoholic degree. The addition of water makes both the sweetness and the muscular tannins from the new wood more present: while it loses a bit of compactness, it expands its complexity, with a spicy, peppery note that grows particularly intense towards the end.