The Balvenie Scotch Single Malt 12 Year Single Barrel First Fill 2012

Nose: Bursting with tropical fruits: kiwi, green banana, pineapple, and star fruit. Beneath this is a layer of waxy tutti-frutti bubble gum, orange blossom honey, kaffir lime leaves, and very light shortbread-like malt. Light and airy, but packed with high notes of every description.

Palate: Thin body. Unexpectedly hot – piercingly so – which takes a long time to resolve. Fresh coconut meat, caramel oak, buttery malt, and pound cake.

Finish: On the short side. Oaky and malty with only a hint of fruit (fruit punch). Some oak barrel tannin, but not drying. Missing something.