Rites of Passage Cask Selection 12 Years Old “Secret Speyside” Cask #900181 – Single Malt Scotch Whisky – 700 mL

This expression is part of the independent bottler Rites of Passage (via Epicurean Selection) Cask Selection series. The “Secret Speyside” name denotes a single-cask whisky distilled in the Speyside region, matured 12 years, and bottled at cask strength. With Cask #900181, distilled 8 June 2011, first-fill Oloroso hogshead maturation, and bottled on 4 February 2024, this release is limited to 230 bottles. 

• Age: 12 years.

• Cask number: #900181. 

• Maturation: First-fill Oloroso sherry hogshead.

• ABV: 60.4% (cask strength).

• Bottling: 230 bottles total. 

• Format: 700 mL.

Tasting Notes

Nose: Rich sherry-influence opens with dried fruits (raisins, fig), honeyed malt, and vanilla fudge. Subtle orchard fruit (pear/apricot), gentle oak spice and a hint of cigar box emerge with a moment of air. 
Palate: Medium-full body. Carrying forward the sherry cask character—dark chocolate, roasted pecan, raisin bread, and orange-zest marmalade. Underneath, a clean Speyside spirit backbone brings fresh malt sweetness and light herbal edge.
Finish: Long and warming, with lingering dried fruit sweetness, toasted oak tannin, gentle spice (nutmeg/clove), and final note of polished malt-wood.