Duncan Taylor Single Cask Campbeltown Blend 10 Year Old - 53.7%
From The Spirits Embassy website
This Duncan Taylor Single Cask Campbeltown Blend was aged in oak casks from 2014 and was bottled in 2025, creating a remarkable 10-year maturation journey. Each drop captures the distinctive Campbeltown character, known for its unique maritime influence and light peaty notes. The single cask bottling ensures exclusivity, offering whisky enthusiasts an authentic expression with natural complexity and depth. Savour the rich heritage of this limited release that showcases the master blender's craft and patience in allowing time to enhance its exceptional flavour profile.
Tasting notes
Appearance: The colour of oak aged Chardonnay, beads before slowly falling as thick, oily legs
Nose: Lemon zest, coastal breeze and a hint of Cantaloupe melon
Palate: Lemon citrus, Cantaloupe melon, maritime saltiness, butterscotch sauce, woody oak and a sharp hit of crystallised ginger spice. A few drops of water softens some of the spice but brings out more tannic oak
Finish: Astringent oak, stone fruit and ginger heat
Summary: On first opening I would have to say I was quite disappointed, the whisky was short on depth and had a harsh, youthful feel. Other than the coastal saltiness it was really lacking in anything resembling a typical Campbeltown character.
That said, after giving it a couple of weeks with air in the bottle it really opened up and became a very different proposition. With the extra time, and particularly with the addition of a little water to remove some of that heat and let it open up even more, it became a very decent dram.
As for origin, the obvious choice would be a teaspooned Glen Scotia. There’s a few clues in there to suggest that’s the case but it lacks that characteristic Campbeltown ‘funk’ or oiliness that you might expect. It’s more of a straightforward whisky rather than a typical Campbeltown, but it’s still solid enough to be enjoyable.
This purchase came from a ‘dram drop’ from the Spirits Embassy at a cost of £65, not one of the top shelf prizes but overall I can’t say I was disappointed with the result.
