Glendullan 12 Years Old 2011 Cask #310541 (BB&R)

This Glendullan was bottled by Berry Bros and Rudd, a 12 year old, distilled in 2011, from cask 310541, at 58.2%, one of 201 bottles. Glendullan is a Speyside single malt from Dufftown, once supplied to King Edward VII. It was the last of the Dufftown stills, the town said to stand on seven stills as Rome stands on seven hills. It was built in 1897 by William Williams and Sons, Aberdeen blenders, the seventh and last distillery raised in Dufftown.

Distilled in onion shaped copper pot stills, for a fresh, fruity spirit with a light body. Maturation came in ex-Bourbon wood, the oak gentle behind the fruity spirit. Through integration spirit and wood marry, vanillin rounding out as esters lend a riper orchard and tropical fruit. First fill wood drives the maturation, the cask clear in the light spirit. Because the long fermentation keeps the spirit fresh and grassy, the cask shows clearly with time. The fresh, fruity spirit deepens with time, the cask drawing out a soft honey.

At its natural 58.2% it is full and fruity. A grassy, malty sweetness, lifted by a soft oak. A light orchard fruit and a soft spice give it shape. Green apple, citrus and a soft oak see it out. This is Glendullan's green, lightly fruity Speyside style.