Ruadh Maor 12 Years - Drám Mór
Bottles from the independent bottler Drám Mór have been discussed on this page several times before. With great dedication and expertise, Drám Mór strives to preserve the tradition of Scotch whisky. They describe their cask selection process as open and open-minded. From the summer selection of 2023, today we have a 12-years Ruadh Maor. Behind this name, which is probably completely unknown to the mass market, lies the smoky distillate of the Glenturret distillery. This cask, with the number #9002123, received additional maturation in a First Fill Bourbon Hogshead.
Tasting Notes
Nose
The aroma reminds us of a burning, rusty fire barrel. We perceive the smoke of smoldering fire without finding earthier notes of peat or tar. The smoke has a hint of iodine, but by no means as plaster-like as one would expect from Islay malts. After a few minutes in the glass, the First Fill Bourbon cask can unfold its effect. We detect sweet vanilla and a hint of honey.
Palate
Upon first sip, we immediately taste the sweetness of glazed honey bacon. An almost barbecue-like combination of sweet vanilla and meaty smoke unfolds on the palate. The notion of iodine, present in the aroma, has completely disappeared. The mouthfeel is very pleasant. The malt has high viscosity, is slightly dry, and has a tingling dusty quality.
Finish
The finish is simple and rather short for a smoky whisky. The delicate smoky profile lingers somewhat. Otherwise, we perceive fine oak notes and some sweet-spicy grill aromas.
Thoughts
Marcel 79/100
This Ruadh Maor delivers exactly what it promises: a smoky campfire experience with a wonderfully sweet bacon note. It’s not the most complex malt, but that’s precisely what makes it so charming and easy to drink – perfect for relaxed evenings by the fire.
Sascha 83/100
A clearly defined smoke profile meets a balanced sweetness here, convincingly reflecting the cask character of the First Fill Bourbon Hogsheads. Despite its straightforward aroma, the malt remains intriguing thanks to its pleasant viscosity and finely tuned finish.
Value for Money: Fair
Discover our value for money winnersThis product was kindly provided to us by Dràm Mòr. This does not influence our rating. No payments or other benefits were received in exchange for this provision.
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What makes the Ruadh Maor 12 Years from Drám Mór special compared to other Glenturret releases?
The Ruadh Maor 12 Years is distinguished by its maturation in a First Fill Bourbon Hogshead, which imparts a sweet vanilla note and a complex smoky character. Unlike typical peat smoke, the smoke here is more burning and slightly iodine-rich, without the earthy notes commonly found in Islay whiskies.
How does the First Fill Bourbon Hogshead influence the flavors of the Ruadh Maor 12 Years?
The First Fill Bourbon Hogshead gives the whisky sweet vanilla and honey notes that balance the smoky character. This creates a combination of sweet, almost barbecue-like flavors with a pleasantly dry and slightly dusty mouthfeel.
Why is the finish of the Ruadh Maor 12 Years relatively short and delicate despite its high alcohol content?
Although the whisky is bottled at a fairly high 56.4% ABV, the maturation in a First Fill Bourbon Hogshead ensures a balanced profile, allowing for a simple, rather short finish with a fine smoky character and subtle oak notes, without being overpowering.