Our second bottling from Macduff, and another PX sherry bomb! This time a year older, and with a depth of flavour we love to find. Still a bit of a beast at 63.5%, but worryingly slips down a treat – don’t forget drink responsibly! When we see a Macduff of this quality, we are delighted as it’s not something we have stumbled over often. This Hogshead has given us 323 bottles, which is great, as it means there’s more to share around!

Tasting notes by Dramfool

Macduff 2012, 12 years old

Cask Type – Pedro Ximénez Hogshead

Strength - 63.5%

Colour – Golden ruby

Aromas – It’s what you hope from a PX sherry matured whisky, big hits of dark raisins, fresh figs and caramel. You get the almond creaminess of marzipan and the classic old furniture and leather. With water, it can take more than a drop, it opens up the fruity raisins, figs and has almost a coffee note

Taste – It’s big and bursting with more fruit from the rich Pedro Ximénez-soaked oak staves. Blackcurrants, black cherries and a swirling maelstrom of rich dark chocolate and heather honey. With water it softens to a more tropical vibe, which was unexpected, almost pineapple or coconut and a sweet spike of citrus.

As I said last time, Macduff is so often destined for blends, the art of the Distiller and Cooper can easily be overlooked, but in this cask (as well as its sister before) have come together to showcase this often overlooked Highland Single Malt.

Price: £90 inc. UK VAT (£75.00 ex VAT rest of the world)