Glen Elgin SMWS 85.25 - Orange blossom honey straws

Distilled at Glen Elgin in October 1999, this sat in a refill hogshead for 13 years, yielding only 312 bottles.

The colour is a light-to-medium gold. On the nose, rather young and spirity with subtle tropical fruits, light honey, mint, heather and lemon. Solvent speaks to its youth (though it's a year older than the standard Glen Elgin 12, which I love). Water somehow adds a touch of smoke, and turns the lemon into lime.

On the palate I get the "orange blossom" note in the title. Light and spirity with more tropical fruits, citrus and light herbs. You get the sense that this was a beautiful new make. Citrus/tropical fruits are the dominant note here, but water pushes some spice forward, adding complexity.

The finish features more orange (Creamsicle?) with spice and more savoury herbs. Lip-smacking and tasty, though a little too spirity for me.

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