Origin: Lowlands (Scotland)
Type: Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Strength: 46%ABV
Ageing casks: Ex-Bourbon first fill
Chillfiltered: No
Added colouring: No
Owner: Daftmill Distillery
Average price: € 140.00
Official website: www.daftmill.com
It’s not easy to find a Daftmill, a (very) artisanal distillery that produces only from its own raw material and for a few months of the year, and certainly doesn’t have such a large supply of bottles to distribute to all the markets.
Seasonal bottlings, tied to the rhythms of nature on the farm, with the stills only fired up in the middle of winter and in the high summer months, with significant ageing from the outset (12 years in 2018), in complete contrast to practically all the new distilleries on the market.
Today’s tasting comes from 27 ex-Bourbon First Fill casks from December 2011 (distilled from Publican barley harvested in the summer of 2009 and malted the following year), resulting in 7,500 bottles in the autumn of 2024.
Tasting Notes
A symphony of fruit and pastry sweetness on the nose, with hints of tartlets and fruit cake with custard. Peach, apricot, crisp apple, pear juice, ripe banana, marshmallow, sesame crisp, mixed-flower honey, the aforementioned custard and pastry: well-defined aromas without being overpowering, of understated elegance. On the length, a sugary malt and candied fruit note emerges. Captivating.
In the mouth, it shows its more acidic side, bringing out citrus (grapefruit and lime) and spices (ginger, aniseed), without abandoning the fruity compartment of the nose, which recedes into the second row, remaining on the side of white stone fruit. Apple juice, almond confectionery, propolis and a recollection of custard provide the framework, while on the back palate it leaves a rather lively and refreshing menthol and vegetable component. All of this in a good oily body that leaves a pleasant dryness that lingers until the next sip.
Quite long in the mouth with notes of white fruits, aniseed, almonds, candied citrus, vegetables and menthol.
A skilful ex-Bourbon bottling, rich without excess, with an excellent balance between sweetness and acidity. And bloody drinkable.
Vote: 87/100