Black Bull 40 YO Batch no 2

Black Bull 40 YO Batch no 2, 41,9 %

I visited Dr. Jekylls Pub in Oslo with my husband a couple of weeks ago. I wanted to taste something different from single malts, which I (too) often choose. I took a look on the shelf and spotted a Black Bull 40 YO.

Black Bull is a blend released by the independent bottler Duncan Taylor. I tasted from batch no 2, bottled 02/11. The bottle reveals the ingredients; 90 percent malt and 10 percent grain. A blend of Bunnahabhain, Tamdhu, Glenlivet and Invergordon.

Black Bull 40 YO is available in Sweden at SEK 2 399 (item number 85059). It is not available to buy in Norway.

Nose (23/25): A really sweet nose, which I find is often typical for a blend. Bananas, vanilla and candy shop. After a while I smelled salt licorice and peanuts still in the shell, and some oakiness. The nose developes a lot. Rich and complex.

Taste (21/25): Smooth and easy drinking. Mostly I tasted salt, caramel and spices. Some oak.

Finish (20/25): Light and short finish. Salt and Turkish Pepper. I thought it was a bit metallic.

Balance (21/25): I found this blend to have an incredibly lovely and complex nose. The taste was more narrow and one-dimensional but still a smooth and nice blend. Often I find blends to have a shorter finish compared to single malts.

Score (85/100)

- Tone