Aultmore 12 Years 2008 – 2021 #9529053 – Duncan Taylor The Octave

This Aultmore 12 Years is a rare gem from Duncan Taylor’s The Octave series. After an additional maturation in a specially selected sherry octave cask – a small barrel that delivers extra intensity and complexity – this Speyside single malt was bottled at 52.5%. With only 85 bottles drawn from the cask, this is not just a delicious whisky, but a truly exclusive one. Expect a rich and expressive dram, full of sherry character yet still true to Aultmore’s elegant nature.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Dark grapes, dates and raisins, with hints of walnut, leather and warm spice. A subtle touch of orange peel and oak completes the profile.

Palate

Full-bodied and intense with flavours of dark chocolate, caramel, candied cherries and spicy oak. The sherry note is deep yet balanced, with a soft creaminess that lingers.

Finish

Long and warming with notes of mocha, cinnamon, dried fruits and an elegant drying oak finish.

Aultmore Distillery

Aultmore Distillery is located in the Speyside region, near the town of Keith in Banffshire. Founded in 1896 by Alexander Edward, Aultmore has a rich history and is known for its high-quality single malt whiskies. The distillery is set amid the lush, green landscape of Speyside, which contributes to the purity of their production process.

A unique feature of Aultmore is the use of water from the nearby Auchinderran Burn, which makes for a pure and light spirit. Aultmore whiskies are known for their fresh and delicate flavour profiles, with notes of grass, flowers, honey, and subtle hints of herbs and citrus. The distillery uses traditional copper pot stills and long fermentation times, contributing to the whisky's complexity and depth.

Aultmore matures its whiskies mainly in ex-bourbon casks, which ensures a balanced and refined flavour. Although for a long time Aultmore was mainly used for blends, in recent years the distillery has gained more attention for its excellent single malts. The combination of an idyllic location, traditional techniques and high-quality production makes Aultmore a respected name in the world of Scotch single malt whisky.

Duncan Taylor

Duncan Taylor & Co. Ltd. is one of the most respected names in the world of independent whisky bottlers. With a history dating back to 1938 and a commitment to quality and craftsmanship, Duncan Taylor offers a wide range of whiskies loved by connoisseurs and collectors alike. Their focus on single cask releases, old and rare whiskies, and innovative product lines makes them a unique and influential player in the whisky industry.

History

Duncan Taylor & Co. Ltd. was founded in 1938 by Abe Rosenberg, a New York-based whisky dealer and collector. In the early years, the company operated mainly as a whisky dealer, but over time it expanded its activities to whisky selection and bottling.

Over decades, Duncan Taylor accumulated an impressive stock of whisky casks from various distilleries in Scotland. This stock included both single malt and single grain whiskies, and some of the casks today are decades old.