The Black Bull Special Reserve is the latest addition to the BB family consisting of the 12,30,40 year olds. It has been bottled to celebrate BB 12 year old winning the best scotch blend in the world, 12 years and under at the 2011 World Whisky Awards. As always, BB Special Reserve contains a high ratio of malt to grain (50%!) and is bottled at cask strength Non chill filtered, with no artificial colouring.
This first batch is is an extremely limited release batch with just 978 hand-numbered bottles available globally.
Having previously tasted the 12 and 40 year olds (both cracking blends), I had a lot of expectations from this one as well…
Black Bull Special Reserve , 46.6% ABV , £95
Nose: Quite spicy On the nose. Bit of wax, vanilla,spices (cloves and dried ginger). Malty with some ripe orange and dough.
Palate : Sweeter than the nose suggested with sweet lush sultanas , honey , wee smoke and leather. Transforming into dark chocolate with orange.
Finish: oak,nuts covered with dark chocolate. Dry.
Bottom line:
this was a much heavier whisky than i thought, but it’s very well made. If you’re in for a lighter blend, or a summery whisky, look elsewhere, as this is a complex, and intense flavoured.
Score: 85/100
Many thanks to DTC whiskies for the official sample.
One thought on “Tasting Black Bull Special Reserve – Batch #1”