Origin: Scotland
Type: Blended Scotch Whisky
Strength: 50%ABV
Ageing casks: Ex-Bourbon and ex-Sherry, finished in peated casks
Chillfiltered: No
Added coolouring: No
Owner: Duncan Taylor Scotch Whisky Limited
Average price: € 40.00
Official website: www.duncantaylor.com/whisky/black-bull
Vote: 83/100
Inevitable peated version of the historic blended of which I tried the basic one a short while ago, in its new edition launched last year that abandons the dark dress for a more vintage look.
Basically, this is the same blended of single malt and single grain (with a majority of the former), aged in ex-sherry and ex-bourbon casks and finished in casks which contained peated whisky: it is therefore a hetero-directed peatiness that is not native to the distillate, with the intention therefore of not making it too incisive.
We shall see…
Tasting notes
On the nose, it is the vegetal and mineral part, with a slight hydrocarbon inflection, that presents itself first, followed by hints of orange blossom, fruit (white melon, banana, peach), nuts (almonds, walnuts), aniseed and, at length, a gust of pungent, agricultural smoke. Over time, sweet notes of fudge and pastry appear, making it generally more amiable and mellow.
In the mouth, the vegetable-driven tale resumes, with the smoky part more concrete, especially in the back, and the fruity and sweet aspect more evident. Short pastry, nuts, pear pulp, black pepper and ginger. Less rich than on the nose, but pleasant.
Fairly brief finish of nuts, vegetable notes and a whiff of extinguished embers.
Much more interesting on the nose than it then offers on the drink, but considering the price range in which it is placed, it offers what is expected and perhaps even something more.