Claxton's Exploration Series No. 12 Unveils Eight Distinct Whiskies

Claxton’s Exploration Series No. 12 Unveils Eight Distinct Whiskies

Claxton’s continues its commitment to discovery with the twelfth installment of the Exploration Series, presenting eight diverse bottlings that highlight Scotland’s rich whisky landscape. This release spans a variety of distilleries and maturation styles, from a youthful 3-year-old Ledaig matured in a PX Sherry barrel to a well-aged Port Dundas single grain matured for 22 years in bourbon barrels. Each expression embodies the spirit of exploration, inviting whisky enthusiasts to deepen their tasting journeys.

Maturation & Flavor Profile

The series showcases a broad range of cask influences including Fresh Tawny Port Hogsheads, Bourbon Barrels, PX Sherry Barrels, fresh Oloroso Barriques, STR Hogsheads, and fresh Oloroso Hogsheads. This variety allows for complex aromatic and flavor profiles across the collection. For instance, the Fettercairn and Inchmurrin expressions both mature in Fresh Tawny Port Hogsheads, producing rich fruity and sweet notes. In contrast, the Staoisha matured in a fresh Oloroso Barrique offers robust BBQ smoke and earthy dryness. The Port Dundas 22 Years Single Grain, matured in bourbon barrels, highlights vanilla and oak with a refined sweetness.

Tasting Notes

Fettercairn 10 Years Old 2015 Exploration Series No. 12 Claxton'S Cask Nr.1089
• Nose: Strawberry jam, red berries, trifle and cream
• Palate: Brandy, berries in syrup, trifle notes, finely sweet
• Finish: Long, sweet and fruity with rich currants

Loch Lomond 8 Years Old 2017 Exploration Series No. 12 Claxton'S Cask Nr.1092
• Nose: Creamy sweet, reminiscent of mature tequila and BBQ
• Palate: Richly fruity with liquorice, Amaro, Cointreau and coffee notes
• Finish: Long, sweet with a touch of bitter orange

Ledaig 3 Years Old 2022 Exploration Series No. 12 Claxton'S Cask Nr.1086
• Nose: Smoked cheese, leather, cigar smoke, smoked fish
• Palate: Sweet mesquite smoke chips, rich and full-bodied
• Finish: Equally rich with sherry and oak smoke

Miltonduff 8 Years Old 2017 Exploration Series No. 12 Claxton'S Cask Nr.1091
• Nose: Creamy sweet barley sugar, coconut, vanilla
• Palate: Sweet vanilla, coconut, barley, finely balanced
• Finish: Soft vanilla, oak, and cooked sweets

Port Dundas 22 Years Old 2003 Exploration Series No. 12 Claxton'S Cask Nr.1087
• Nose: Intense vanilla, banana chips, apricot jam
• Palate: Soft, sweet with jam and vanilla, subtle oak hints
• Finish: Oak-heavy with tannins and a touch of corn

Staoisha 7 Years Old 2018 Exploration Series No. 12 Claxton'S Cask Nr.1090
• Nose: Rich BBQ smoke, smoked paprika, brine, raisins
• Palate: Sweet smoke, dry earthiness, pronounced oak, BBQ notes
• Finish: Long, dry with meaty smoke

Teaninich 10 Years Old 2015 Exploration Series No. 12 Claxton'S Cask Nr.1088
• Nose: Raisin bun, bread pudding, custard, nutmeg, vanilla, cinnamon, raisins
• Palate: Pastry notes, sweet tannins, vanilla
• Finish: Delicately dry with dessert wine hints

Tormore 9 Years Old 2016 Exploration Series No. 12 Claxton'S Cask Nr.1093
• Nose: Icing sugar, barley, sweet oak, touch of sherry
• Palate: Pronounced sherry, heavy tannins, bittersweet oak
• Finish: Sweet aftertaste with a surprising touch of lit matches

Release & Availability

All eight whiskies from Claxton’s Exploration Series No. 12 are bottled at 50% ABV and presented in standard 700 ml format. While individual bottling quantities and prices have not been specified, the complete series offers a richly varied collection suitable for connoisseurs and collectors alike. The expressions, including Fettercairn 10 Years Old 2015 Exploration Series No. 12 Claxton'S Cask Nr.1089 and Loch Lomond 8 Years Old 2017 Exploration Series No. 12 Claxton'S Cask Nr.1092 , are available through Spiritory for those seeking to explore new whisky dimensions.