Black Bull whisky is a product of the Duncan Taylor Scotch Whisky Company which was originally based in Glasgow and founded in 1938, but is now located in Huntly, Aberdeenshire.

In 2002 the business was acquired by Euan Shand from its American Owners and immediately ceased brokering whisky casks in order to concentrate upon building its own range of brands.

Black Bull is Duncan Taylor's own range of blended scotch whiskies.

Black bull, 40y, 40.2%

A blended Scotch whisky comprising whiskies from 40 to 44 years old from Bunnahabhain, Glenfarclas, Glenlivet, Glenburgie, Highland Park, MiltonDuff, Springbank, Tamdhu & Invergordon (grain) distilleries.

Typical cost of this bottle; €€€€€

Glass: Classic Malt

Colour: Rich gold, light oak

Nose: Initially intense fruit, mainly apple with perhaps water melon and kaki (Sharon), with a background hint of light smoke. There's also distinct vanilla and something quite fresh and herbal.

Palate:  Very smooth with almost no pepperiness or spice. I detect raisins, a hint of nuts, oak, vanilla and the faintest hint of sea air on a fresh Spring morning.

Finish: Long, very long, smooth and fruity, almost growing in stature with time.

Overall impression: A very good, very smooth, fruity blend.

Black Bull, 40y, 41.9% ABV

Batch #2 bottled Feb. 2011

Typical cost of this bottle; €€€€€

Reviewed (blind) as part of MMA 2011

Glass: Classic Malt

Colour: Light amber

Nose: Initially quite perfumed with rose water, hydrangea then vanilla, peach and light oak. Those floral and perfumed notes intensify further with time in the glass.

Palate:  More solid and heavier than the nose with wood and cognac-style notes alongside lots of floral herbiness.

Finish: Long, very long, with plenty of floral cognac character.

Overall impression: A very good, light and floral blend.

Duncan Taylor, Black Bull, 12y, 50%

Typical cost of this bottle: €€€€€

Glass: Classic Malt

Colour: Bronze

Nose: Initially quite light, this needs a little more time to develop .... After 2-3 minutes I begin to detect light cloves, raspberry and then creamy vanilla. As this expands further it includes hints of quality soft leather and, after more minutes it has suddenly grown into a quite delightfully rich and aromatic beast.

Palate:  There's a very smooth and creamy mouth-feel but just a little watery for its 50% abv although I do detect an oakiness with vanilla and some gentle fruitiness.

Finish: Long.

Overall impression: A really excellent nose developed with time but sadly the palate didn't quite deliver on all the promises the nose suggested. Having said this, it's still an enjoyable 12y blend, just not as good as it could have been had the palate delivered more.