Daftmill Single Cask 12 Years Old 2009 (56.3%)

An official release of Daftmill, a 12 year old, from 2009, cask 038/2009, at 56.3%, 224 bottles in all. Daftmill, founded in 2005, did not release its first whisky until 2018, after more than a decade in cask. The patient, restrained approach has made Daftmill one of the most sought after of the new distilleries.

The spirit was drawn off the onion shaped stills of the Fife farm, for a light, floral make of real finesse. It rested in ex-Bourbon oak, the wood adding a light honeyed vanilla. Through integration spirit and wood marry, vanillin settling into vanilla as ethyl esters lend a riper green apple and pear. A gentle maturation suits the light make, the fruit growing richer with time. The onion shaped stills give a light spirit that ages with grace. Releases come as Summer and Winter batches, single casks and the odd cask strength bottling. Vanillin and oak lactones from the wood lend vanilla and coconut over the floral malt.

At its natural 56.3% it is concentrated. A clean, grassy citrus, with a soft vanilla from the oak. It is delicate and fruity, the elegant spirit shining through. The close is clean, fruit over a gentle oak. This is the light, elegant farm malt of Daftmill.