Sons of Scotland – 2012 – Arngibbon
70cl / 46%
£59.00
- Cask type: Hogshead
- Malt type: Single Malt
- Region: Speyside
Tasting Notes
Desert Custard, Summer Fruit, Heather
Grapes, Dry Oak and Hay
Sweet Malt and Vanilla
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A bold single cask release distilled 2012 and matured eight years, from the Arngibbon label under Sons of Scotland.
At-a-Glance
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Distillery / Bottler / Country & Region | Sons of Scotland (blender/bottler) / Scotland, Speyside (though exact distillery unconfirmed) |
| Category | Single Malt Scotch Whisky |
| Age / Vintage / Bottled | 8 yrs / distilled 2012 / bottled 2020 |
| ABV & Size(s) | 46% ABV / 70 cl |
| Cask / Treatment | Bourbon hogshead (single cask #0096) for eight years |
| Natural Colour | Not clearly stated by producer |
| Non-Chill-Filtered | Not clearly stated by producer |
| Cask Strength | No |
| Bottle count / Outturn | 397 bottles (cask #0096) |
| Intended channel | Specialist retail / auction |
| Packaging | Standard 70 cl bottle, relevant label (Sons of Scotland – The Arngibbon) |
| Notes on discrepancies | The distillery is not definitively identified; sources state “Speyside (though we know not exactly where)”. |
Historical Context
This release is part of the Sons of Scotland independent bottling label, which often sources from lesser-known or closed distilleries with small cask runs. The “Arngibbon” reference harks to the historic Arngibbon Distillery in Stirlingshire which operated briefly (six years in the 1820s) but is otherwise unrelated. The 2012 vintage here was aged eight years, signalling a younger single malt in independent single-cask style rather than a long-age statement. The vintage date places it in a still relatively recent era of single-malt releases, appealing to niche collectors of independent bottlings.
Technical Specification & Variant Map
2.1 Documented variants
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46% ABV / 70 cl / distilled 2012 / bottled 2020 / cask #0096 / outturn ~397 bottles.
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No alternate sizes, ABVs, or regular-line editions are documented for this specific cask.
Variant Matrix
| ABV | Volume | Market | Era cues | Relative desirability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 46% | 70 cl | UK/EU specialist / auction | 2012 vintage / 2020 bottling / single-cask #0096 | Higher (scarcity via 397 bottles) |
2.2 Packaging & authenticity checklist
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Bottle should carry “Sons of Scotland – The Arngibbon – 2012 – 46% – 70 cl”.
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Label references cask #0096 and may state “8 years” on listing.
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Check for clear print quality, intact capsule, high fill (shoulder or above).
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There is no widely documented cardboard box or outer case for this release; confirm via listing images.
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Pitfalls: Low fill, label damage, mismatched cask number, or claims of other vintage/size. Independent bottles are more vulnerable to mis-labelling.
2.3 Regulatory/terminology notes
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As a Scotch whisky labelled “Single Malt”, the spirit must be from a single distillery in Scotland (though the distillery name is unverified here).
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Age statement of 8 years may appear (since vintage 2012 to bottling 2020).
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No claims noted of natural colour or non-chill filtration — treat those as “not stated”.
Liquid Profile (from verifiable notes)
Nose: Creamy cereal, light orchard fruits (pear, green apple) with subtle vanilla from bourbon.
Palate: Soft cereal malt, vanilla and light oak spices, fresh fruit character underlying the bourbon influence.
Finish: Medium length, gentle sweetness and faint oak-spice.
With water: No documented variant; typical for such single-cask would be enhanced fruit and mellow texture.
Distillery/Bottler Snapshot
Sons of Scotland is a label used by independent bottlers focusing on small-cask runs, often from lesser-known or closed/distressed distillery stocks. The “Arngibbon” naming is historical and symbolic rather than specifying the exact distillery. The 2012 vintage eight-year maturation is short relative to some peers, and bourbon hogshead maturity is typical for independent bottlings seeking bright, cereal-led profiles.
Sourcing
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Target formats/eras to prefer: High fill, clean label, original bottle/tax stamp if present, clear cask number (#0096), intact capsule.
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Red flags to avoid: Fill below the base of neck, mismatched cask number on label vs listing, heavy label damage, any sign of tampering.
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Condition thresholds (fill/box/labels): Shoulder or higher fill; label legible with minimal damage; capsule intact.
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Margin/velocity expectations — qualitative: Moderate velocity in niche independent-bottling market; value anchored by rarity but also by youth.
