We’ve seen a Scallywag bottled at Cask Strength before. There’s also been a Scallywag that matured exclusively in sherry casks. Douglas Laing have never before combined the two though. But that is exactly what they now have done with the Scallywag 12 Years Old Cask Strength.
Scallywag 12 Years Old Cask Strength (53.6%, Douglas Laing, 2019)
Nose: Reveals notes of rose petals, elderflower liqueur and raspberry syrup, even a bit of orange zest. Whiffs of cracked black peppercorns as well. Overall a tad shy though.
Taste: Wow! Much more expressive than I expected. Great viscosity, followed by an intense sweetness (golden syrup), and then even a touch of gun powder. Much more flavourful than the nose suggest. Plenty of hot spices too, and even a tad woody.
Finish: Orange-squash, charred wood and nutmeg. Pretty long.
Score: 84
The nose isn’t as expressive, and the palate isn’t extremely balanced either, nevertheless a pleasing whisky, although I much preferred the Scallywag 13 Years Old.
Sample provided by Douglas Laing
