Daftmill 2012 Summer Batch Release 2025 & Daftmill 2013 Summer Batch Release 2026

Daftmill 2012 Summer Batch Release 2025

Region: Lowlands

ABV: 46.0%

Price: £100.00 

Distilled at Daftmill in July and August 2012 and bottled in June 2025 at 12 years old, this Summer Batch Release was produced from Concerto barley grown on the Cuthbert family farm and harvested in September 2011. It was matured entirely in 23 first-fill ex-bourbon barrels stored in the lower levels of Warehouse No. 1, producing 5,250 bottles.

Nose

The nose opens with an initial sweet citrus, candied lemon and lime peel, moving into vanilla sponge cake, fondant icing, whipped cream, and ending on a handful of buttery biscuits. It's a very pleasant and inviting nose, very classic Daftmill, with some maltier, heavier aromas coming through as we go back to it. Time and air brings out a slight pepperiness, white pepper mostly, along with a little more acidity - sour plums and a little quince for us. 

Palate

The palate opens with more of that sponge cake, this time with a drizzle of lemon syrup, some black peppercorns, and a mixture of vanilla and light coconut flavours. It's slightly warmer than expected for 46% ABV, but we're still getting the softer, sweeter Daftmill DNA. Going back, there's some sherbert and more quince from the nose, alongside some appletiser and something slightly herbal. 

Nose (with water)

The reduced nose feels richer, with the sugars feeling a little more caramelised. There's still a lot of the citrus and biscuitiness, as well as a new florality that is beginning to appear. It feels more "natural", less cask influence but more spirit shining through.

Palate (with water)

The reduced palate has more upfront fruit, it's quite green in nature, slightly herbal, before moving into those sponge cake flavours and sweet vanillas. The finish has more of a caramelised, darker flavour - almost treacle-like. 

Conclusion

A solid classic Daftmill - lots of sweetness, citrus and some more interesting fruits coming through for us. A little pepperier than we usually get, but still very drinkable and great quality whisky as usual. 

Score: 7/10

Value

Daftmill's batched releases have sat around this mark for as long as we remember.

Daftmill 2013 Summer Batch Release 2026

Region: Lowlands

ABV: 46.0%

Price: £100.00 

Distilled at Daftmill in July 2013 and bottled in June 2026 at 13 years old, this Summer Batch Release was created from fourteen first-fill ex-bourbon barrels matured on the upper level of the distillery’s dunnage warehouse. The whisky was made using Concerto barley grown in Daftmill’s South fields, harvested on 2 and 3 September 2011 and malted in Alloa the following spring. The release comprised 3,775 bottles.

Nose

The nose opens with fresh green apple, lemon zest, kaffir lime leaves, sour candies and some poached pears in a light and fresh white wine. The nose is very well integrated, there's almost no spice or alcohol sensation coming through at all. We're also finding some orange oils, custard and candied ginger. It feels really well balanced and harmonious, the individual aromas don't overpower one another. 

Palate

The palate opens with a mixture of freshly made apple juice, lemon oil, orange peel, white flowers, sherbert and a backbone of vanilla bean and creamy custard buns. It's thick and oily, the texture is excellent - our mouths are firmly coated in the whisky even after swallowing. Going back, we're finding pear drops, brown sugar coated doughnuts and some ground ginger on the finish. The alcohol is slightly more pronounced on the palate but it balances really well with the flavours to give you a full bodied, rounded experience. 

Nose (with water)

The reduced nose has a little more depth in terms of earthiness, there's more herbaceousness, more florality, but the core of orchard fruits and citrus are still there. There's also a bit of richness, more like a drizzle of honey now.

Palate (with water)

The reduced palate bursts with citrus zests, a mixture of the lemons, limes and oranges, even a little grapefruit. The fruit is really exploding, all of the aforementioned citrus fruits are now joined by the orchard fruits, simple sugar syrup and honeycomb. 

Conclusion

This is probably the best batched release of Daftmill we've tried, it's balanced, integrated, with a texture that rivals some of the best single cask Daftmill we've had. It's just really really good, there's not much more to say.

Score: 8.5/10

Value

Daftmill's batched releases have sat around this mark for as long as we remember.

• 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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