Black Bull 18 years old Blended Scotch Whisky 70 cl 50%

Highland cattle do not step aside for weather. Neither does the whisky with the bull on the label — 50% and eighteen years in oak give a blend that holds its ground against whatever you put it next to.

Expert description

Black Bull 18 Years is a Blended Scotch Whisky bottled at 50%.

The range comes from Duncan Taylor Ltd. in Huntly, an independent bottler with one of Scotland's better stocked cask inventories. Black Bull stands apart from most blends through its bottling strength, where competitors typically land at 40%. The recipe leans on Highland malt, and both the malt and the grain carry eighteen years.

The brand itself is a tribute to the golfer Sir Nick Faldo, whose career Duncan Taylor has marked with several bottlings. The Black Bull name comes from Scottish Highland cattle, whose hardiness the range borrows.

Tasting notes

Nose

Deep gold in the glass with a delicate aroma of dried fruit, creamy yoghurt, Turkish delight and sweet oak.

Palate

Open and direct, but full of character. Apples, pastry, cinnamon and clove, carried by the 50% without burning.

Finish

Long and intense with clear, creamy notes of spice and vanilla.

Specifications

Name: Black Bull 18 Years Blended Scotch Whisky 70 cl 50%
Distillery: Black Bull
Bottler: Duncan Taylor
Region/Country: Scotland
Type: Blended Scotch Whisky
Age: 18 years
ABV: 50%
Size: 70 CL
EAN no.: 5056510005290

Flavour profile

Spiced · Fruity · Creamy · Powerful · Oaky

Investment potential

Medium. Age-stated blends at this strength form a small category, and the Black Bull range has drawn steady collector interest since Duncan Taylor revived the name.

Did you know?

Duncan Taylor was founded in Glasgow in 1938 as a cask and warehousing business. The reason the company now holds one of Scotland's oldest private cask stocks is that for decades it bought casks with no concrete plan to bottle them.

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Frequently asked questions about Black Bull 18 Years Blended Scotch Whisky 70 cl 50%

Why is it bottled at 50%?

A deliberate choice by Duncan Taylor. The higher strength retains more aromatic compounds and gives the blend more body than the classic 40% does. You can always dilute in the glass, but you cannot go the other way.

Is an 18 year old blend better than an 18 year old single malt?

Not better, but different. A blend like this combines malt character with the soft sweetness of grain whisky, giving a rounder profile. A single malt is more focused on the style of one distillery.

Is it worth the money?

Age-stated blends at 50% are rare, and eighteen years of maturation across both the malt and grain components takes patience from the bottler. Age, strength and Duncan Taylor's access to old casks are what carry this bottle.

What does Black Bull refer to?

The name points to Scottish Highland cattle. The breed is known for coping with rough weather, and the bottler uses it as an image for the robust style of the whisky.

Should I add water?

Try it neat first, then add a few drops. At 50% a little water clearly opens the fruity notes and sharpens the spices.

What is the Nick Faldo connection?

Duncan Taylor has released several Black Bull bottlings marking the golfer's career. The link is a matter of branding rather than production — the whisky is the same.