The Wolf of Badenoch 12 Years Old (North of Scotland Distilling Company)

This is a Speyside Distillery single malt, chosen and bottled by North of Scotland Distilling Company, a 12 year old release and bottled at 43%. The Speyside Distillery was hand built over two decades by the stonemason Alex Fairlie in the Cairngorm foothills near Kingussie, and it grew from George Christie's vision of his own small distillery. It is the most southerly of the Speyside distilleries, nearest of all to the source of the Spey.

The spirit was run slow through small copper stills for a light, fruity spirit, to build a fresh, orchard fruit character. A French oak cask added a dry, gentle spice. Mid age brings a deeper honey and a riper fruit note. The light, fragrant make takes cask character readily across maturation. The site was a working barley mill from the 1700s until 1965. A long fermentation builds the fruity esters that mark the house style.

At 43% it is soft, honeyed and fragrant. The French oak adds a dry, gentle spice, and a light, fruity sweetness meet a quiet vanilla from the refill oak. Beneath it run apple, honey and a soft spice. It closes long, fruity and honeyed. This is a light, fruity Speyside single malt.