Williamson 2005 DR (A.D. Rattray) (Cask #800124)

A.D. Rattray traces its name to a firm established in 1868 and today releases single casks four times a year in its Cask Collection. Filled in 2005 and bottled 2019, the whisky is a 14 year old Williamson, from cask 800124., part of the Individual Cask Release series. The Williamson label denotes teaspooned Laphroaig: a spoonful of another malt added to the cask, enough to require a blended-malt designation. Bessie Williamson, who took the distillery over in 1954, gives the name.

Fourteen years of ex-Bourbon soften its oily, tarry smoke.

At 53.8%, undiluted, the American oak gives a vanilla lift. Tar, smoke and antiseptic iodine run the length of it.