William Cadenhead 12 Years Old (Cadenhead’s)

William Cadenhead 12 Years Old (Cadenhead's) is a blended Scotch from Cadenhead's. It marries malt and grain whiskies, with Highland malt such as Fettercairn for a fruity core. The cooling rings raise reflux and copper contact, so only the lightest vapours rise, for a tropical spirit.

The Fettercairn within gives a pineapple and citrus note. An ex-Bourbon barrel shaped it, vanillin lending vanilla under the pineapple. The cooling rings give a light spirit, so the cask brings depth over the years. The clean, fruity spirit shows the cask clearly, vanilla and fruit to the fore. American oak suits the tropical make, lending vanilla and coconut over the fruit. A Scottish oak project has planted thousands of native oak saplings beside the distillery. The cool Highland air of the Mearns gives a slow, even maturation in the dunnage warehouses. In 2018 the distillery relaunched with a new core range under maker Gregg Glass.

At 46% it is fruity, tropical and clean. Tropical fruit, citrus and a soft vanilla run through it, light and clean. A baked pineapple and a gentle spice lift it. The finish is rounded, tropical and gently spiced. A characterful blended Scotch.