Poit Dhubh 12 Years Review

Country: Scotland 

Brand: Pot Dhubh

Bottler: Praban Na Linne Ltd. 

Type: Blended Malt Whisky

Age:  12 Years

ABV:  43 %

Date: 03/06/2013

Colour: Dark Amber

Nose: Very clear impressions of Oloroso Sherry and Peat (Smoke) accompanied by Sweet Malt, Custard, Toast and Orange Marmalade, Grapefruit, Dried Fruits, Lemon, Oak, Honey, Old Leather, Brown Sugar, Figs and light Spices. I recognise the same Vegetative (Cabbage) aroma that I also find in the Island Distilleries of Jura and Arran so I'm inclined to think that either one or maybe both are part of this Blend. Initially I thought that this aroma automatically hinted at Sulphur but I am now pretty much convinced that it's the characteristic smell of the Island Peat. I have to confess it's not one of my favourite aromas although it tends to diminish after giving the whisky some extra time in the glass. In any case  it's  different from the more Maritime and Medicinal Peat you find in the Islay whiskies. I quite prefer the latter!

Palate: The delivery is Sweet and a bit thin with Toffee/Caramel, Honey, Oak, Licorice, Sherry, Peat, Orange, Malt, Pepper and a little Salt.

Finish: On the short side with Citrus, light Peat, Licorice, Biscuits and some hot Pepper that clearly hints at the participation of Talisker in the Blend.

I added a bit of Water and the Nose becomes more friendly with Honey, Sherry, Malt, Floral Tones and Citrus in the lead. Palate and Finish become too Watery for my taste. Be careful with Water here!

Rating: 83

Nose:  21.5 - Taste: 20.5 - Finish: 20.5 - Overall: 20.5

General Remarks: Poit Dhubh (Gaelic for Black Pot or Illicit Still) is Blended Malt Whisky, partly matured in Ex-Sherry Casks. It was released in 1984 and is Non Chill-Filtered since 1992. It costs around 45 US Dollars. It is bottled by Praban Na Linne Ltd, located on the Isle of Skye (Hebrides) and founded in 1976 by Sir Iain Noble. It's still a family-owned company. There are also 8 - and 21 year old expressions of the Poit Dhubh.

Drinking Experience Neat: Good

Conclusion: Much better than your average boring Blend. I suspect that Jura, Arran and Talisker are part of it. Some nice Aromas here and there, especially the Oloroso Sherry, the Citrus and the Talisker Pepper. And the price is certainly acceptable. But there are some flaws as well. I'm not too fond of the Island Peat and on the Palate I find the Poit Dhubh a bit too light. The Finish is on the short side as well. So all in all a good effort by Praban Na Linne but not sophisticated enough to consider it as my day-to-day blend.

Jan van den Ende                                                               June, 2013

Grant's 12 Years Review

Country: Scotland

Brand: Grant’s Blended Scotch Whisky

Bottled by William Grant & Sons, Dufftown

Type: Blended Whisky

Age: 12 Y

Alcohol: 40%

Date: 07-07-2012

Colour:  Pale Gold

Nose: First impressions are Peat, Malt, Oak, Vanilla, Grains/Biscuits and a tad of Leather. There’s some Alcohol present so you have to find your way around it to detect some Fruit (Orange Zest, Peach, Apple and maybe Mango or Pineapple).

Taste: Rather sweet with Honey, Milk Chocolate, Malt, Cereals, Orange Zest and Spices like Pepper and Nutmeg.

Finish: Middle-Long and not as sweet as the Palate would want you to believe. Grains, Malt, Cinnamon and Nuts (Almonds).

When adding a few drops of water you eliminate most of the Alcohol on the Nose while releasing more Malt, Vanilla, Biscuits and Tropical Fruits. On the Palate the Spices are less present. The Finish reveals a bit more bitter Grain. You can play with a bit of Water without overdoing it of course.

Rating:  81 

Nose: 21 - Taste: 20 – Finish: 20 – Overall: 20

General Remarks:  This Blend is produced for the Family-Owned William Grant & Sons Ltd by their Master Blender Brian Kinsman (formerly David Stewart). It contains 50% Single Malts and 50% Grain Whiskies. (Girvan Distillery – see Picture above). It matures for at least 12 Years in Oak Casks before being finished for another 6 months in First Fill American Oak. William Grant & Sons are also the owners of Glenfiddich and the Balvenie so we may assume that these Malts are part of this Blend.

Drinking Experience Neat: Good

Drinking Experience on the Rocks: Quite Nice.

Conclusion: This is a much better Blend than the Family Reserve, that’s for sure. There is nothing challenging here but it’s a well-balanced all-rounder that will please most people. It’s not quite interesting enough to drink it neat on a regular basis in my opinion but on the Rocks you can’t go wrong with this Blend.

Jan van den Ende                                                                    July 2012