Introduction I’d been following Kingsbarns with curiosity ever since their first releases, curious to see how their spirit would mature over the years. When the 10 Year Old came out, I felt it marked an important step — not just a milestone age, but a benchmark of what their profile could become with time. I wasn’t expecting bold peat or heavy sherry here; rather, I was hoping for a whisky that reflected the soft Lowland style, done with care and patience. Nose The nose is subtle but well-structured. Soft vanilla and gentle lemon zest arrive first, followed by green apple and light cereal notes. With a bit more time in the glass, a clean malty character shows through — slightly herbal, reminiscent of a distant summer meadow. It never leaps out of the glass, but what it delivers is quietly consistent and true to style. Palate On the palate, the whisky carries that same delicate charm. A silky mouthfeel brings in flavours of fresh pears, barley sugar, and a touch of shortbread. There’s a steady citrus thread running throughout — mostly lemon and orange peel — which balances nicely with some gentle oak spice and soft vanilla. It’s not trying to impress with power; instead, it offers a calm, refined experience that rewards slow sipping. Finish The finish is on the shorter to medium side but pleasant. A little citrus oil lingers along with light wood spice and vanilla pod. I also picked up a slightly drying oak note toward the end, which added a bit of structure, though it never turned overly tannic. Clean, simple, and well integrated — it finishes as it starts. Price and Value For a 10-year-old whisky from a relatively young distillery, this one sits at a reasonable price point. It feels like a natural progression rather than a marketing gimmick. If you're someone who appreciates subtlety and precision in a whisky, the Kingsbarns 10 offers value through its honest style and clean presentation. It might not excite those seeking a big, bold dram, but there's real merit here in its restraint. Background Kingsbarns Distillery is situated near St Andrews in Fife, in the Lowlands of Scotland. Founded in 2014, they’ve focused on crafting light, fruit-forward single malts using traditional methods and long fermentation. The 10 Year Old is their first core range bottling to carry a double-digit age statement, matured entirely in ex-bourbon casks, with a small portion drawn from STR (shaved, toasted, recharred) wine barriques. They use local Fife barley and a slow distillation process to bring out a softer, floral distillate, something that comes through clearly in the final dram. For more about the distillery, you can visit Kingsbarns Distillery. Final Notes Would I pick up another bottle? Yes, especially if I'm looking for something light and easy-going during warmer seasons or early in a tasting lineup. I think this could also be a nice introduction to Scotch for someone new to single malts — there’s no heat or overwhelming complexity, just well-made, approachable whisky. If you enjoy other Lowland malts like Glenkinchie or Auchentoshan, you’ll likely find something familiar here, though Kingsbarns leans more toward natural fruit and cereal than triple-distilled sweetness. As for moments, it’s best suited to easy evenings — when you want a dram that doesn’t ask too much but still offers something thoughtful in return.