N: Nice colour here and the wood influence is evident on the nose too. Cocoa and tomatoey initially and a bit blended but its attractive nevertheless. Leathery, malty, salty notes with a yeasty sherried/fruity vibe too, raspberry leaves, olive-oil bread, soft toffee, cherry liqueur, wild strawberries… Ground almonds mixed with the maltiness integrate well with the dense fruit punch character of this vintage Highland.  
T: Thin herbal wine like arrival, salty, malty and woody in equal measure. Theres a quick build in spirity & woody intensity before a more steady development towards a fresher, waxy finish. Adding water brings everything together, the spirit and wood becoming far more integrated, Its still on the fresh, sour side, not hugely complexity but its certainly no wet fish.
F: So, fresh and waxy in the form of fennel, aniseed and liquorice which all play their part in the wind down. Theres not much sweetness here but its always lingering in the background [water helps bring it out more]. Drying spirit and malty radish reside and is that those wild strawberries back for a reprise?
C: Theres so much going on on the nose, it was inevitable that the rest wouldn’t follow suit, such is the way so often especially with old vintages. This isn’t an easy access malt, well the nose is but the palate and finish provides interest if nothing else.

Scores a B