A welcome return to the 2006 vintage, of which the first Daftmill Summer/Winter was drawn from, these are some of Daftmill’s oldest casks bar a handful from December 2005. The character is familiar to the Summer 2006 release but with all the hallmarks of well matured lowland whisky; the nose offers freshly baked apple sponge, spiced vanilla custard suggesting quality first fill ex-bourbon barrels, but the real weight comes from light green fruits and malty notes shining through from the distillate. This theme continues on the palate with a perfect balance of oak and distillate; desiccated coconut, warm gorse flower, lemon zest and beeswax mingle before a further burst of citrus on the back palate. A mouth-watering finish shows oak spice, the merest whiff of malty wood smoke and a final suggestion of stewed peaches. A classy, self-possessed dram, well worthy of joining the ranks of distillery-defining, iconic 15-year-old releases from Scotland’s stalwart distilleries; Laphroaig, Glendronach and dare I say… Rosebank. – Jonny McMillan