The Tasting Panel magazine

November 2013

Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/205467

Contents of this Issue

Navigation

Page 50 of 152

NOSEABLES Where There's Smoke . . . DUNCAN TAYLOR'S BLENDED WHISKIES CAPTURE THE BEST OF SCOTLAND E stablished in 1938 and built on whisky-making roots dating back to 1864, this family-owned whisky specialist possesses more than 75 years of experience as a blender, bottler and cask broker. With origins in Glasgow, Duncan Taylor is based in Huntly, Aberdeenshire, on the periphery of Speyside, where today's devotion to the principle of providing exceptional oak casks for filling at the finest distilleries has been a key feature of its history. The Big Smoke 46 and 60 A blended Islay malt whisky, The Big Smoke is a bold and powerful scotch whisky that will excite the seasoned Islay fanatic and appeal with its multidimensional coastal sweetness to connoisseurs who enjoy smoother Speyside and Campbeltown malts. On the nose, Big Smoke 46 (92 proof) exhibits salted butter on toast, bonfire, meringue, peach and strawberry, leading to a cool and minty taste on the palate, with more smoke, charcoal, currant buns and icing sugar. The finish is crisp and clean with growing oily saltiness and overtones of wet wood smoke, grass and leather. Big Smoke 60 (120 proof) oily and industrial on the nose, with sweet ash and a more rustic hayloft note, leading to limes and kiwi fruit on the palate, as well as grapes and a slight medicinal quality. A creamy mouthfeel and ash notes lead into a finish of smoke, more fruit, saltiness and delicate overtones of dried oranges with hints of chilies and chocolate. Black Bull 12 and 40 Black Bull 12 is a blend of the finest 12-year-old single malt and single grain whiskies distilled in Scotland and non-chill filtered. Black Bull 40 is a blend of whiskies ranging from 40 to 44 years old; this spirit is 90% single malt and 10% single grain and is bottled at cask strength—completely natural, without chilled-filtration or added colorant. For more than 70 years, Black Bull has been enjoyed predominantly in the U.S. and Great Britain, and is also exported around the world. Full amber color gives way to a robust nose of chunky aromas like chocolate, toffee, sherry, vanilla and lemon sherbet in the Black Bull 12 Year Old. Smooth, mellow and rounded on the palate with milk chocolate, treacle toffee, pears, green apples and sweet vanilla. The finish brings out heavier fruity notes and lots of creamy tones. Black Bull 40 Year Old shows bright gold in color; the nose wafts of raisins, roasted almonds, butterscotch, dark chocolate, orange zest and freshly cut grass. On the palate, citrus fruits, honey, smoked oak and wild berries emerge, while a long mouth-coating finish leads to traces of chocolate-covered cherries and front-ended salty notes. 50  /  the tasting panel  /  november 2013 TP1113_034-65.indd 50 Duncan Taylor is imported by Shand Import, South Pasadena, CA; Tel. (626) 441 4706. 10/24/13 9:19 AM T1_B

Articles in this issue

Archives of this issue

view archives of The Tasting Panel magazine - November 2013