Black Bottle 10 Years Old CVH Blended Scotch Whisky 40%

An everyday dram does not have to be dull. This one has spent ten years in oak, and you hear it straight away: the smoke has gone tender, the caramel deep, and there are no sharp edges left.

Expert description

Black Bottle 10 Years CVH is a Blended Scotch Whisky bottled at 40%.

The release is a limited follow-up to standard Black Bottle, with every component in the blend matured for at least ten years. Fruity grain whisky meets both peated and unpeated single malts, and as across the range it is the Islay component that sets the tone. The extra time in wood shows most clearly in the texture, which is oilier than in the young expression.

The producer's own notes for the ten year old point to smoked cherry wood, caramel and charred embers, and that is a fair description: the smoke has a sweet, woody edge rather than the medicinal peat associated with the southern Islay distilleries.

Tasting notes

Nose

Caramelised sugar and smoked fruitwood, almost like a barbecue burning down. Behind it sit dried apricot and a brush of vanilla.

Palate

Soft and full with toffee and malted grain, then the smoke rolls in as glowing ash and a nip of black pepper.

Finish

Medium and lightly spiced. The smoke drops away slowly and leaves toasted malt and a dry, pleasant sweetness.

Specifications

Name: Black Bottle 10 Years CVH Blended Scotch Whisky 40%
Distillery: Black Bottle
Region/Country: Scotland
Type: Blended Scotch Whisky
Age: 10 years
ABV: 40%
Size: 70 CL
Edition: Limited Edition
EAN no.: 5029704219810

Flavour profile

Smoky · Sweet · Spiced · Soft · Fruity

Did you know?

Black Bottle was created by tea merchants. The Graham brothers made their living blending tea in Aberdeen before working out that the same craft applied to whisky — and gave up the tea.

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Frequently asked questions about Black Bottle 10 Years CVH Blended Scotch Whisky 40%

What sets the 10 year old apart from standard Black Bottle?

Age. Every component in this blend has spent at least ten years in cask, while the standard release carries no age statement. The result is a thicker mouthfeel, more caramel and a smoke that is softer at the edges.

How strong is the smoke?

Moderate. The smoke runs through the whole dram but reads as sweet and woody rather than medicinal. If you are after something heavier, browse our Peaty Whisky selection.

Does it work in cocktails?

Yes. A smoky blend at 40% performs well in a Bobby Burns or a Rob Roy, where sweet vermouth plays against the peat. In an Old Fashioned it gives an unusual smoked base.

Which malts go into the blend?

Black Bottle is traditionally built around Islay malt as its core, supplemented with malt from other Scottish regions and a share of grain whisky. The producer does not disclose the exact recipe.

How should I store the bottle?

Upright, dark and at a reasonably steady temperature. Whisky does not develop in glass the way wine does, but light and heat wear on the aromas. Stored on its side, the spirit attacks the cork.

Is it a good place to start with smoky whisky?

Yes. The strength is low enough to be easy going, and the cask sweetness makes the smoke approachable. Many drinkers use exactly this type of blend as a step towards Islay single malt.