12.87 Velvety smooth with a hint of spice

Description

Distillery 12 has had something of a resurgence in recent years. A once quiet distillery renowned for being a top-tier dresser for blended whiskies, has taken on a new life in single malt form in the last ten years. But we need to rewind a lot further than ten years here to fully appreciate this piece of liquid history in an Outturn. Distilled in 1989 and quietly maturing for 35 years in the finest ex-sherry wood for its full maturation, this is a dram to properly savour, appreciate, and take in. Take a stroll into this museum entry to our festival casks for 2025.

The aroma was breath-taking, with unsmoked maple bacon, butterscotch pancakes, candied Seville oranges, black tea and cloves … and the list could just go on and on. On the palate we found a truly irresistible combination of sweet caramel, smooth butter and vanilla, making it a classic butterscotch coffee syrup poured over maple ice cream. After careful reduction, the scent of rum and raisin fudge alongside damson jam and amaretti biscuits appeared. To taste there was initially a little spice coming from ginger beer and cinnamon buns before we enjoyed lavender shortbread and a glass of Amarone wine. Following 29 years in an oloroso butt we transferred this whisky into a first fill PX butt.