Black Bull 21 Year (Duncan Taylor)

Nose: Light cereals, honey, fresh-cut grass, orange juice and orange zest. There's a slight hint of vanilla, but it's brief, and the primary sensation is of a spritzy, crisp nose. When smelled neat, there's an obvious alcohol bite, but a splash of water removes that, and the nose gains a buttery note. Palate: Ginger and orange with Szechuan pepper and a pinch of hot cinnamon. Lots of zingy oak tannins and unripe fruit. The texture is creamy but obscured by the spicy crispness. The palate is immediate and doesn't show much development, which is expected from a blend (even a good one). Finish: Medium/Long. Zesty spices that fade to sourdough bread with a lingering hint of bitter citrus oil. I feel that 21 years was likely too much oak exposure for this spirit, especially the grain whisky component. Instead of mature smoothness, it has a very firm tannic character, and I'm not convinced that bottling it at 50% ABV was a good decision. A lower alcohol content would have allowed it to express itself more calmly, rather than shouting from start to finish, and it's difficult to achieve the necessary poise simply by adding water during tasting. The other Black Bull blends I've sampled had stewed fruits and fortified wine characteristics, whereas this exhibits crisp, tannic, almost astringent ex-bourbon cask traits. It's interesting to taste but somewhat one-dimensional, and it's not a whisky I would buy or recommend. Tasted from a 30ml sample. “Average”: 79/100 (2.75 stars)

Offered for around $100, let's find out what this is. Smell: Cereal, vanilla, and a subtle red tone, suggesting some wine cask influence. A truly pleasant aroma, though somewhat uniform. Taste: I admit, I appreciate blends. They're vibrant, intricate, and diverse. This one is no exception, offering a vast spectrum of flavors. For those who dislike grain whisky, I can detect it here. While advertised as heavily malted, there's a significant amount of grain present. Grain whisky typically brings cereal and vanilla, which I'm getting, so that's not a negative. Numerous fruity notes are present, but I can't identify specifics. So much is happening, I can't do it justice. Apologies, but I can't provide detailed tasting notes. It honestly feels like a blend of blends. Imagine Highland and Speyside character - fruity, oily, and influenced by many different casks. Citrus and vanilla lead, with a grain finish. If any of that appeals to you, and you can manage the $150 retail price, get it. Even if $150 seems steep and it sounds good, purchase it. This is excellent whisky.

Quite enjoyable. The lingering finish improves with time.

Abundant spice and a decent flavor profile.