Daftmill 2011 single cask mastered the act of balance
It is Valentine’s Day and we just love today’s distillery! Daftmill has long been the face of the new wave of lowland malt distillers in the 21st century. The region is back in the game with a lot of new producers honouring the grassy and distinctive style. And still, Daftmill remains unique and true to the saying that distilling is a sport, best played by farmers. The Cuthbert family puts farming first, distilling second, and mostly seasonal. What is also interesting, is that the Daftmill releases rarely, if never, fall victim to maturation in weird casks. We have yet to see a Daftmill from a wine barrique or port pipe. Let us pray the day is still far away. One might say that the releases are then a bit dull, only whisky from bourbon casks and sherry wood, but that would be the same as saying good whisky is boring. No, Daftmill, please, you keep releasing them, we keep drinking them. As we do with this next sample, that was kindly sent to LPA by importer Craft Spirits Company.
Daftmill 2011, bottled at 58,6 % abv
First things first: This single cask Daftmill that was distilled in 2011 and resulted in 136 bottles, was matured in a first fill Clermont Springs bourbon barrel. Get ready for vanilla! Bottled in 2024 for the Netherlands by Craft Spirits Company.
Upon Sipping: I am always a bit intimidated by single cask Daftmill, they can be very fierce and lose charm on the raw alcohol. Sticking my nose in this glass, the aroma is quite the opposite. Mellow, yellow fruit, grassy meadows before cutting, and a rather subtle vanilla. Like summer in the glass, truly delightful. On the palate, you meet a quintessential lowland single malt. Milky grass, vanilla yoghurt, slices of banana and peach, with on the finish indeed that hint of hotness. With a small splash of water, the wood influence is more noticeable on the nose. On the tongue you will find a more sugary sweetness, while the finish releases a load of wood spice now.
Word to the Wise: Remarkable balance and complexity for a single cask. The Daftmill spirit and the bourbon wood seem to be a match made in heaven. Glad to get reacquainted with single cask Daftmill. This is a perfect example of what you can expect from bourbon maturation.
Score: 88 points.
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