Black Bull 12 Year Old 50% - Duncan Taylor

 

From the Duncan Taylor website

Using only the highest quality 12 year old malt and grain whiskies from select distilleries in Scotland, and matured in the finest sherry and bourbon casks, Black Bull 12 is blended to a formula of 50% malt to 50% grain whisky, and bottled at 50% abv for a full-on flavour experience which will rampage all over your senses. This robust but versatile blend can be served neat, with water, or as a component of cocktails.

Colour: Full amber.

Nose: Robust, chunky aromas of chocolate, toffee, sherry, vanilla and lemon sherbet.

Taste: Smooth, mellow and rounded. Milk chocolate, treacle toffee, pears, green apples and lots of sweet vanilla.

Finish: Some heavier fruity notes emerge with creamy notes coming through.

Tasting notes:

Appearance. Pale gold, forms a thin line which eventually beads before falling as thin legs

Nose: Big notes of vanilla and lemon, caramel toffee, a hint of Bounty bars, almonds and orchard fruit

Palate: An abundance of orchard fruit, pears and sharp green apple, vanilla in abundance, chocolate caramel sweets. A little water brings a creamy mouthfeel and more caramel toffee.

Finish: Long and lingering. Creamy caramel toffee, milk chocolate and stewed apples with cinnamon spice.

Summary: It’s big, bold and robust and yet it’s still an easy drinker at 50%. Just a little water really opens it up, bringing a luxurious mouthfeel and enhancing the caramel notes in there. I could quite happily sit and drink this either way, yet there’s also more than enough going on here to suggest it could make a great cocktail too. At a price of £40 it won’t break the bank either.

If you would like to know more about Duncan Taylor and their whiskies, follow the link to the company website

This sample was part of a 5 dram tasting selection from the current Duncan Taylor range as part of a #TweetTasting session organised by @TheWhiskyWire and Duncan Taylor.

Transparency: No goods or other incentives were exchanged, offered or requested for this independent review.