Whisky : Cambus 29 Year SMWS G8.13 “Svelte and Sophisticated”

Country/Region : Scotland/Lowlands (Single Grain)

ABV : 56.4%

Cask : Refill Ex-Bourbon

Age : 29 (Distilled 18 June 1990)

Nose : Cream, florals, and spice.  Desiccated coconut shavings, coconut macaroons, and crème de caramel.  Light and restrained with hints of custard and vanilla bean.  A few drops of water brought out more tropical floral notes as well as pink peppercorns.

Palate :  Medium bodied with a nice viscosity; sugar and spice.  Opened with cotton candy, vanilla bean custard, sugar cubes, and walnut cookies while faint notes of cream and pepper came near the finish.  A bit hot and spirited, a few drops of water brought down the sharpness and gave the dram a more simple syrup quality.

Finish :  Lingering sugars and creamy vanilla.

Score : 3

Mental Image : Cotton Candy Rush

Notes :  This was not my favorite Cambus— old but still spirited, sugary but not terribly complex.  A few drops of water improved this quite a bit, but the flavor profile and nose were a bit too simple to really enjoy.  The first time I sat down to taste this I thought maybe I had lot my sense of smell or taste as all I got were sugars.  I had to quickly pour something else— a heavily peated Bunna and then a heavily sherried Cambus— to be sure that no, it was just this bottle.  This was almost nice, there were some elements of cream, coconut, and nuttiness that teased at something more complex, but this dram never really got there.  

Overall, a pleasant old single grain, but not one I would pour.