Three Ships 10 Year Old

Nose: (First green olive disappears quickly.) The main theme is light honey, split almonds, with a dusting of cinnamon and potpourri. Banana/vanilla/toffee tones emerge more after breathing.

Palate: Halfway between dry (underripe pitted fruit) and sweet (honey), the easy-going oak creates a full and gingery lemon & vanilla.

Finish: Tingly and dry oak spices for medium length, evoking lemon pith and nutmeg.

I got this "Best African Single Malt" as part of MasterOfMalt's DbtD package for Whisky Magazine 2013 winners. It is pleasant and easy to drink, improving as it breathes. The oak influence hits the right balance, and the lemon-vanilla salivates enough to be called "tasty". For this style of dram, my preference would be to have some buttery or nutty depth, to bring out the existing flavors (which are already full). But its (relative) lightness would make this a great starter or aperitif.

The closest reference point I have is the Balvenie Double Wood 12. The Tree Ships 10 is superior to that, though, replacing anise and unbalanced oak with more yellow fruit.