Glendullan 12 Year Old 2009 Côte-Rôtie Cask Finish G&M

Distilled in 2009, this 12-year-old Glendullan single malt was first matured in refill bourbon barrels for 9 years before undergoing a lengthy secondary maturation of 3 years in Côte-Rôtie casks. 

Côte-Rôtie is a French wine Appellation d'origine contrôlée (AOC) in the northern Rhône wine region of France. The vineyards are located just south of Vienne in the communes of Saint-Cyr-sur-le-Rhône, Ampuis, and Tupin-et-Semons.

The wines are red, made with Syrah grapes and up to 20% Viognier, a white grape used for its aroma. According to appellation rules, Syrah and Viognier (if used) must be fermented at the same time, a process known as cofermentation. Because of this combination, Côte-Rôtie wine typically exhibits an almost paradoxical pairing of meat aromas (including bacon) and floral aromas.

Bottled from a small batch of barrels at a very quaffable ABV of 45%, the 36 months spent in the Côte-Rôtie casks, at the end of its maturation, have added warm earthy notes of black fruits and spices, combining perfectly with the bright fruity character of the Glendullan spirit.

Founded in 1897 in Dufftown, Glendullan was the last of the town’s seven Victorian-era distilleries to be established. Traditionally prized for its elegant, fruity spirit, it has long played a key role in blended Scotch, particularly within the Diageo portfolio. Official single-malt releases are rare, making independent bottlings especially valuable in revealing the distillery’s true character—particularly when paired with red wine cask maturation.

Official Tasting Notes

Nose: Sweet chunks of dried strawberries give way to aromas of roasted peanuts. Notes of candied violet develop alongside subtle honey and a slight herbaceous note.

Palate: A creamy raspberry compote combines with subtle notes of liquorice and red apple. Demerara sugar is highlighted, balanced by a sweet white pepper.

Finish: A nice full-bodied length with sweet citrus and red berries.