A few years ago a couple of us dusty hunters in Los Angeles opened a bottle of this 1970s Cutty 12 Years and Immediately caught everyone’s attention. Completely tasty with a nice sherry influence and touch of smoke, Cutty 12 became an object of obsession her for a short period of time. An obsession was further fueled when a bottle was thrown into the Malt Nuts Old and Older tasting and came out near the top.
It’s not that Cutty 12 Years is a mind meltingly good whisky or anything like that, but a tasty whisky that could be picked up for as little as $7 for a 200ML and as much as $23 for a full 750ml. Bottles of it used to be everywhere in LA but as you can imagine once word got out they completely disappeared. Though if you REALLY want one Mast of Malt will be happy to sell you one for $232.70 + shipping.
1970s Cutty 12 Years Info
Region: Scotland
Blender: Berry Bros. & Rudd
Mashbill: Single Malt + Grain Whisky
Cask: ex-Bourbon & ex-Sherry
Age: 12 Years
ABV: 43%
Price: NA – Auction, Specialty Store or Private Seller
1970s Cutty 12 Years Review
EYE
Light caramel
NOSE
Caramel, dark fruit, dried mango, dried strawberry, bit of oak, spice, nuts and smoke.
PALATE
Dried strawberry, dried apples, malt, toffee, wood, spice and a touch of grain, smoke and OBE.
FINISH
Long fade of caramel, coffee, toffee, dried fruit and some smoky char.
BALANCE, BODY & FEEL
Good balance, medium body and a soft mild feel.
OVERALL
Crazy how good this old Cutty 12 is, it’s a solid blend and a prime example of what a good blend is. From the initial sweet malt and sherry notes to the smokey fade it’s a lovely whisky that I kinda wish they still made. Honestly, I don’t know why they don’t.
With such a strong interest in “retro” stuff these days it feels like there’s an opportunity for Edrington to bring this one back. There’s a market for it and could help the Cutty name stand out a bit in the blended whisky market. I’d be all for them bring this one back, but if only they can make it at least this good.
SCORE: 86/100 (B)
