Gathering from a brand new distillery is an act of religion, and Daftmill seems to be one the place that religion is rewarded. This farm distillery makes small portions of scotch because it was made two centuries in the past—an uncommonly conventional method that strikes a chord with whisky fanatics. Brothers Francis and Ian Cuthbert constructed Daftmill Distillery on their farm within the Lowlands county of Fife in 2005 and began making whisky throughout the quieter spells within the agricultural 12 months, in summer season and winter. They put in a copper-topped semi-lauter tun, two stainless-steel washbacks, and a pair of modest-sized copper pot stills. They supply no malt from exterior suppliers, as a substitute relying solely on what’s harvested from their very own land.
There was a flurry of pleasure from collectors when Daftmill began manufacturing, as few new distilleries have been opening in Scotland on the time. The truth is, it was Fife’s first new distillery in over 100 years. However the Cuthberts stayed quiet however busy for a decade, managing to fill about 100 casks a 12 months.
In 2018 Daftmill supplied its first launch—629 bottles of a cask energy 12 12 months previous single malt matured in first-fill bourbon barrels—too few bottles to satisfy the demand of keen fanatics. Public sale homes have been quickly getting bottles from flippers, who sensed the market circumstances would doubtless reward them handsomely.
The inaugural launch, rated 91 factors, stays probably the most priceless Daftmill bottlings at public sale, with Scotch Whisky Auctions holding the report for this expression with a bid of $3,779 positioned in November 2021. Daftmill made its U.S. debut in 2019 with a 2006 classic Summer season Launch aged for 12 years in bourbon barrels, which was rated 90 factors. Winter and summer season U.S.-exclusive releases have adopted.
Since that first providing, round 10,000 bottles of Daftmill have been consigned to public sale, predominantly in Scotland. Small numbers of bottles are showing at public sale within the U.S., with Unicorn Auctions being the perfect place to look. Whisky Auctioneer holds the distillery’s public sale report for the sale of a Daftmill 2008 matured single barrel No. 68. This was bottled for Impartial Whisky Bars of Scotland, an affiliation of ingesting institutions together with Fiddler’s in Drumnadrochit and The Bon Accord in Glasgow. These bottles have been by no means destined for retail and have been solely bought by the dram on the constituent bars, however a bottle from every was auctioned to lift funds for the bars throughout the pandemic. The bottles for the Highlander Inn in Craigellachie, Dornoch Fort in Sutherland, and Ardshiel Lodge in Campbeltown bought for $5,931 every in Might 2020.
Daftmill releases summer season and winter batches, every aged over a decade, supplemented by single cask classic releases and a cask energy 15 12 months previous. It’s scarce, and that scenario appears unlikely to vary. The Lowlands distillery scene, in the meantime, has been rejuvenated with the development of recent distilleries. Since Daftmill began, distilling has commenced at InchDairnie, Kingsbarns, Eden Mill, Lindores Abbey, and Leven in Fife.
With so many younger releases available on the market, scotch aficionados admire the Cuthberts’ endurance in ready over 12 years earlier than releasing their first whisky. With manufacturing volumes comparatively fastened and bottles attracting collectors, new releases are likely to promote out rapidly. Whereas many are acquired at face worth, the secondary market is fed a gentle food regimen of Daftmill expressions, making that the most effective locations to seek out it. It’s uncommon for good cause, but with its easy labels and packaging, it’s not aimed toward collectors and far is consumed somewhat than hoarded. To many collectors, that solely makes it extra fascinating.
