As far as bottlers go, The Whisky Agency operates in the top layer of them. There’s some others up there, but not many. So, when a joint bottling with Heads & Tails came out, I got a little bit thrileld.

In part because ‘Secret Highlands’ have been good the last couple of years, and in part because their previous joint bottling with the Canadians was rather awesome. I’m not entirely sure why I’ve never reviewed that here, but the notes must have gotten lost in a pile somewhere.

Anyway, a 12 year old. Sort-of affordable at € 90. Bourbon cask. All sounds good to me.

Sniff:
Very light, with some chalk, a touch of vanilla and some minerals. A bit of dried pineapple and a tin of boiled candy.

Sip:
The palate adds a bit of sweetness and some white pepper. A bit more vanilla than before.

Swallow:
On the finish it gets a little bit more weighty, a bit richer. Some oak, vanilla custard, biscuits, and white pepper.

I bottle-shared most of this bottle and then used the remainder in a tasting, so when I sat down for it I had just tried in a line-up the night before. In the tasting this didn’t do anything, and on it’s own it’s only slightly better.

You really have to work for some flavors to come out and if you don’t it’s just too bland a whisky. A bit of a shame, really, but it’s just not very good.

83/100