Daftmill 2012 Single Cask 086/2012 (The Drambusters)
| Title | Daftmill 2012 Single Cask (The Drambusters) |
|---|---|
| Bottled | 2022 |
| Age | 10 Years Old |
| Cask Type | First Fill PX Sherry Hogshead |
| Cask Number(s) | 086/2012 |
| Number of Bottles | 341 |
| Strength | 57.7% Vol. |
Label Notes
Daftmill is a farm distillery. Owned and operated by the Cuthbert family, it only runs in the farm’s quiet periods; midsummer and winter, sometimes producing as few as 100 casks per year. When not distilling, Francis Cuthbert looks after the estate, growing the malting barley used to make this Lowland whisky.
The barley variety Concerto was grown in the South fields and harvested on the 2nd and 3rd of September 2011. It was then dried and stored on the farm to be malted in Alloa during the spring of 2012.
This first fill PX sherry hogshead was chosen from a wonderful selection of casks by a team from T B Watson Ltd, Dumfries. This is the youngest single cask that has been bottled by Daftmill Distillery to date. It was distilled in our Winter season being filled on Christmas Day 2012 and was matured at Daftmill before being bottled exclusively for the Drambusters.
Tasting Notes
This review comes from Alan and Daniel Scott at Two Whisky Bros. Check out their website for other Daftmill reviews, alongside more about their passion for whisky at https://twowhiskybros.co.uk/
Nose
A restrained nose, but as we dig deeper we’re finding cola bottles, dates and raisins. There’s a light nuttiness, raw hazelnuts and little loveheart sweets. Behind this sherry cask maturation, we’re getting a lighter and spritzy spirit with green apple and freshly cut grass. We will note that there’s a good amount of sherry here, and those are the predominant aromas that we’re finding. Time and air starts to reveal a bit of funk, cherry jam and a touch of instant yeast at the end which gives away the younger age of the dram.
Palate
The palate opens with cinnamon, lots and lots of cinnamon. It reminds us of Big Red chewing gum, with a slight chill heat coming through too. We’re also getting cherry syrup, sultanas, freshly picked mint leaves, ginger spice and some treacle too. There’s still a spritzy-ness in the spirit here, that might just be the alcohol though. The mouthfeel is nice, and the finish lingers on with richer flavours of cinder toffee, molasses and date-filled cookies.
Nose (with water)
Slightly richer and more rounded, cola syrup, lots of dates, a bit sweeter too. There’s also some dark chocolate and prune too. It feels like the sherry cask has overtaken the spirit character now, however some may really enjoy that.
Palate (with water)
We’re finding not too much difference with water, it’s got a lot of the same rich sherry flavours, maybe a touch less of the upfront cinnamon spice. The mouthfeel and finish also remain consistent, maybe with some coffee grounds, aniseed and blackcurrants appearing on the finish now.