Culdrain is a rare name in whisky, one of Duncan Taylor’s lesser-known single cask releases, offering a glimpse into a unique Highland spirit. This 11 year old from 2011 was finished in a smaller octave cask, intensifying its natural character and deepening its flavor complexity. Bottled at cask strength, it’s a bold, distinctive dram for adventurous whisky drinkers.

Duncan Taylor (Octave) – Culdrain 11 Year Old 2011 53.9% 70cl
Brand: Duncan Taylor | Category: Single Malt Scotch Whisky | ABV: 53.9% | Origin: Highlands, Scotland | Vol: 700ml

Tasting Profile:
Nose: Golden honey, baked pears, and soft vanilla, with hints of toasted oak and gentle spice.
Palate: Full and rounded, with creamy malt, ripe orchard fruit, caramel, and a touch of peppery warmth.
Finish: Medium to long, with lingering oak sweetness and a subtle herbal note.

Production Details:
Initially matured in traditional oak casks before being transferred to a smaller octave cask for a finishing period, which accelerates wood interaction and concentrates flavor. Bottled without chill filtration at natural cask strength to maintain its full-bodied profile.

Perfect For:
Whisky explorers seeking distinctive, small-batch Highland malts with a richer cask influence.

Expert Notes:
Culdrain bottlings are seldom seen, making this a unique opportunity to taste a single malt enhanced by Duncan Taylor’s renowned octave finishing technique.

Customer Reviews:
"Lovely Highland sweetness with a nice spicy kick at the end."   Peter W.
"Feels richer than its age, probably the octave finish at work."   Hannah M.
"A rare name and a rewarding dram."   Colin D.

Interesting Fact:
Duncan Taylor’s Octave range is named after the small casks used for finishing, holding about one-eighth the volume of a standard butt, maximizing flavor impact.

Serving Suggestions:
Enjoy neat for its full cask strength intensity, or with a few drops of water to draw out more fruit and vanilla.

Distillery Background:
Culdrain is not a distillery in itself but a special label Duncan Taylor uses for certain single cask Highland releases, often from undisclosed distilleries. This approach allows whisky lovers to enjoy distinctive, high-quality spirit without the premium price tag tied to a big-name brand. By bottling it under the Culdrain name, Duncan Taylor preserves both the mystery and the magic of a truly individual dram.