Duncan Taylor Co - Tweet Tasting 14th October 2020


On the evening of October 14th I was lucky enough to have been part of the continually great Tweet Tastings run by The Whisky Wire.

This tasting featured Duncan Taylor, an award winning whiskey bottler. Originating in Glasgow before relocating to Huntly, Aberdeenshire in 2002. According to their website, there will soon be a distillery there of their own too!

This evenings tasting would be extra special for myself as it would be my first tasting to feature a gin as well as the other three blended scotches to sample. Duncan Taylor also produce Rum as well as the aforementioned whiskey and gin.

Politician – 40% ABV

Nose: Dark chocolate, gentle burn on the nose, not over powering.

Taste: A slice of fruit cake, with real butter on top.

Finish: A peppery and slight citrus finish which is long lasting. I added just a drop of water on the third sip and felt that helped with that. This is really well worth checking out at this price.


Black Bull 12 Year Old - 50% ABV

A gorgeous autumnal colour on this one. And at 50% ABV I have been particularly looking forward to trying this one. It's a A blend of Speyside and Highland whiskies, comprised of 50% malt and 50% grain, matured in a combination of bourbon and sherry casks.

Nose: Chocolate, toffee apple and Ginger cake with a suggestion of hazelnut and Caramac bar.

Taste: First taste is an explosion of flavour. There is a subtle hint of pears which opens up to sticky toffee pudding with oak and leather caresses.

Finish: Impeccable finish which reveals apple and wooded notes. Very impressed!

The Big Smoke 46 – 46% ABV 

Nose: Cinders of a fading bonfire on a beach at sundown. Similar to straw. 

Taste: Initially refreshing, toasted tea cake and char-coaled flavours. 

Finish: Oily finish with woody notes. 

Again a touch of water really complimented this dram. Just a smidgen.


Indian Summer Cask Strength Gin - 56.4% ABV 

OK, I've not really tried much gin to be honest (apart from the usual suspects) so I was most definitely intrigued by this one. Ex-Glentauchers Casks were used for aging this.

Nose: Honey and caramel with flowers and subtle herbs. 

Taste: Citrus zest, sweet almonds and soggy ice cream cones. 

Finish: Short but refreshing finish. I preferred this with a tiny bit of water added.

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