Daftmill 2011 Winter Batch

Daftmill 2011 Winter Batch

Region: Lowlands

ABV: 46.0%

Price: £110.00

The latest batch of Daftmill was distilled from Publican barley grown in the 43-acre field, harvested on the 28th and 29th of August 2009. The barley was dried and stored before being malted in Alloa in 2010. This whisky comes from 27 first-fill ex-bourbon barrels, filled in December 2011 and matured on the upper level of their dunnage warehouse until bottling in 2024.

Nose

The nose opens with fresh green apple, a little bit of effervescent Albariño wine, pear candy, fabric softener, alongside some younger-nosing barley sugar notes. Behind this sits artificial watermelon, candyfloss, a hint of lime and a touch of pepperiness coming through. Good balance at 46%, not jumping out the glass at us but sitting comfortably where you want it when you bring it to your nose.

Palate

The palate opens with a burst of citrus, lime mostly, moving into apple juice, apple skins, mild fudge, a light touch of menthol and some vanilla frosting too. The latter palate is a bit heavier, with a vegetal, earthy note alongside creamy caramel sauce. The alcohol is in good balance, although there are points where it feels warmer than we expected, mainly on the mid palate. The finish has a good length with a cup of peppermint tea and smints.. very minty actually, with a touch of oak spice too. The mouthfeel has reasonable texture, but the reduction to 46% does hurt the overall viscosity.

Nose (with water)

The reduced nose is slightly more bready, we're getting some of the raw spirit coming through, although with Daftmill that comes along with lots of orchard fruits. We're also finding a herbaceousness that's coming through now. Other than that, it's fairly similar to the unreduced nose - we don't think it really needs any water though.

Palate (with water)

The reduced palate maintains the fruitiness, now with some flat peach, and a drizzle of light honey too. There's a sweeter oak flavour coming through now, and actually the water seems to have brought the flavours of the palate together somewhat more harmoniously. Saying that, the mouthfeel does suffer a bit. Overall we enjoy it with a dash of water but again don't feel like it necessarily needs it.

Conclusion

Fairly stereotypical Daftmill, lots of soft fruits, citrus and light bourbon cask influence. There's a bit more of the bourbon cask than usual when we get to the palate, and it's fairly mint-heavy on the finish. Still, it's breakfast whisky through and through. Good quality whisky, although there have been other summer/winter batches that we preferred (such as the 2010 summer release).

Score: 7.5/10

Value

The price of these releases has remained consistent over the past few years, which we appreciate, especially given the general trend of whisky prices steadily increasing.

• 10 - Perfection. One in a million
• 9 - Outstanding. Exceptional whisky.
• 8 - Great. Would seek this out.
• 7 - Good. Quality whisky.
• 6 - Above average. Happy to have a dram.
• 5 - Average. Drinkable whisky.
• 4 - Below average. Passable.
• 3 - Flawed. Noticeable negatives.
• 2 - Defective. Significant faults.
• 1 - Offensive. Pour it out.

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