Daftmill Winter Batch Release 2006 46% 2006

Professional reviews

Serge Valentin (86)

This is completing the recent Whiskyfun Daftmill tasting of new single casks as we were missing one due to a sample breaking in transit. Thankfully, I had ‘backup’ at home and this untasted earlier release to pair it with. Colour: white wine. Nose: after tasting a few Daftmill you really start to notice the distillery hallmarks. They’re in spades here. Things like abundant fresh fabrics and linens, bread dough, autolytic notes of wholemeal seed loaf, water biscuits, freshly peeled lemons, citrus oils, bay leaf, crushed aspirin, chalk and white pepper. It’s getting a bit boring to state this now, but it really does bring to mind old young Rosebanks. Lots of wet leaves, cut grass, lightly waxed canvas and soda bread. I find this style very good but it can be a tad demanding at times as well. Mouth: vitamin tablets, chalk, hay, straw, raw cereals, fresh wash, baking soda, aspirin, butter and freshly chopped herbs. It’s ironic that it’s a winter release as it’s just about the most summery kind of profile you can imagine. Goes on with notes of tarragon, dry earth, light sooty notes, tree bark and moss. Has this forest after a rainstorm petrichor character that I’m very fond of. Finish: medium and with plenty of bitter lemon, white pepper, cereals and a rather big grassy element. Comments: It’s good whisky, but I suspect it’s not for everyone. Although, I’m finding that Daftmill really possesses its own style which, for a new distillery, is undoubtedly a great asset.

BOW (87.50)