
Three Ships 12 Years Old, 46.3% abv
This is the first release in the Master Distiller's Private Collection.
Distilled from 35ppm barley (Scottish sourced peated barley) in 2007, coming off the stills at around 68% ABV. The master distiller, Andy Watts, selected a combination of older and younger small American oak casks to mature the whisky in, 90% refill and 10% first fill. South Africa's climate ensured that the whisky was still around 65% after 12 years. It was then bottled as a 12YO at Distell's 'standard ABV' of 46.3% unchill filtered at natural colour.
Although the warmer South African climate results in a much higher Angel's Share, the accelerated interaction between the spirit, cask and atmosphere, give rise to a spectacular single malt with depth of flavour, balance and extraordinary smoothness.