Black Bull Special Reserve No. 2 (Duncan Taylor)

Black Bull Special Reserve No. 2 (Duncan Taylor) is a blended Scotch from Duncan Taylor. It marries malt and grain whiskies, with grain from distilleries such as Cameronbridge. Cameronbridge, Scotland's largest grain distillery, lends a light, sweet, oily grain to such whiskies.

Grain lends a light, sweet frame while the malts bring depth. A refill American oak cask held it, building the sweet, oily grain character. The whiskies are married and rested before bottling. Aged grain such as Cameronbridge brings coconut, vanilla and a buttery oak to a blend. A blended grain marries grain whiskies from more than one distillery. The maker selects casks for the sweetness and depth each lends. Grain whisky gives such blends a light, sweet, oily frame. A period of marrying lets the whiskies settle together. The result is a soft, sweet, oily Scotch with a creamy oak depth.

Bottled at a cask strength 50%, it is rich. Coconut, vanilla, toffee and a soft oil run through it, with a creamy oak depth. The mouthfeel is oily, the coconut carried on a sweet body. The finish runs buttery, soft and warm. A characterful blended Scotch drawing on Scotch grain whisky.