DUNCAN TAYLOR

Black Bull traces its origins all the way back to 1864, when the brand first released its blended Scotch whisky into the market in Dundee, Scotland. Throughout the next century, Black Bull hit several unprecedented milestones: after a successful foray into Europe in 1897, Black Bull obtained a trademark in the United States in 1933 (upon repeal of Prohibition) and would go on to surpass 80,000 cases in the U.S. alone by 1974.Now owned by Duncan Taylor, the Black Bull brand stays true to its original philosophy of blending Scotch with a high malt content at high proof in fact, the Black Bull recipe today calls for 50 percent malt whisky and 50 percent grain whisky to be bottled at exactly 50 percent ABV. While those numbers are certainly convenient, the team at Duncan Taylor is always innovating, sampling the choicest single malt and single grain whiskies and selecting only those which are at their absolute peak.Black Bull 12 Year Old Scotch Whisky is crafted from a blend of highland and speyside whiskies aged for a minimum of twelve years in refill ex-sherry European oak butts and refill ex-bourbon American oak hogshead casks. The whisky has robust, chunky aromas of sherry, fresh strawberries, cherry pie and vanilla. The bold nose gives way to a palate filled with lemon meringue, fudge, almonds and baked apples, and leads to a palate accented by sweet caramel and toffee butter.Black Bull 12 was named the #1 Best Blended Scotch Whisky (12 Years and Under) at the 2011 World Whisky Awards. Pick up a bottle today!

The southernmost of the Inner Hebridean Scottish Isles, the island of Islay (pronounced EYE-lah) is just 240 square miles and home to only 3,457 people. Still, the island is one of just five distilling regions in Scotland whose identity is protected by law.Islays unique climate and geography impart signature characteristics to Scotch distilled and matured on the island. Despite its small size, the island boasts 130 miles of coastline, and the warm Gulf Stream from the Atlantic Ocean provides for cool winters and mild summers. In addition, the island is largely composed of peat, a phenolic compound that emits smoky aromas when burned. The salty winds and peat bogs of Islay result in Scotch that has a signature salinity and is balanced by a touch of smoke.The Big Smoke Islay Blended Malt Scotch Whisky was crafted by blending together whiskies from some of the islands most iconic distilleries. As a result, the whisky has an aroma of salted caramel, buttered biscuits and bonfire that gives way to chewy notes of caramel, vanilla, mint, smoke, charcoal, cinnamon buns and honey on the palate. The finish is clean and crisp, with touches of saltines, leather, wood and tobacco.The whisky earned a score of 90-95 points from Wine Enthusiast. Pick up a bottle today!