PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
Waterproof is one of those clever names that explains itself: “Water” because Scotland has plenty of rain, and “Proof,” the old way of measuring the strength of whisky, because this dram is bottled at a higher strength than most everyday Scotch. The look is inspired by Charles Macintosh, the Scottish inventor of the waterproof raincoat, and the packaging plays on it, too.
Waterproof is a blended malt, which means it’s a vatting of single malt whiskies from different distilleries, with no grain whisky in the blend, and it uses spirit from “a handful of Scotland’s best malt whisky distilleries,” aged in a mix of first- and second-fill bourbon and sherry casks. It’s bottled by MacDuff International, a Glasgow whisky company, as a batch release at 45.8% ABV (91.6 proof). The sherry influence is the defining feature. As one reviewer put it, the label says “sherry influenced,” but “I’d say it’s sherry dominant.” There’s no age statement, and it’s a value-priced whisky, so it’s not non-chill-filtered or natural color, as some pricier malts are.
The distributor’s tasting notes describe a nose “full of grain character, red fruit and cocoa, light fruitcake with cherries and sultanas,” a palate with “rich touches of char bitterness, balanced by sweet cherry and sticky raisin,” and a finish with “brown sugar, cinnamon heat and lingering malt loaf.” Other descriptions find “rich dried fruits, dates, toffee apples, espresso, toasted malt, vanilla, fresh raspberries and cherries, light oak, a little woodsmoke and soft baking spices.” Words of Whisky called it “a very solid showing... affordable and offers value,” with a “sherry-forward” nose of “sandalwood and cigar boxes... caramelised red apples, hazelnuts,” and noted that it’s “quaffable.” The Whiskybase community scores it 81.6 out of 100 across 56 ratings, and Wine-Searcher shows 86. Reviewers are candid about its limits: one found the finish “a little too short,” and another found the palate “slightly harsh.” It’s a straightforward, sherried, everyday malt, and not a complex one.
It’s a good fit for customers who want a rich, sherried flavor at an everyday price and a little more strength than a standard 40% bottle, and it makes an easy whisky for a Highball, an Old Fashioned, or a Rob Roy.
Waterproof Blended Malt Scotch Whisky is bottled by MacDuff International in Scotland, a batch release of malt whiskies from a handful of top distilleries, aged in a combination of first- and second-fill bourbon and sherry casks. No age statement. Bottled at 45.8% ABV / 91.6 proof, 750ml.
Whiskybase community — 81.56/100 (56 ratings)
Wine-Searcher — 86/100 (1 score)
Words of Whisky (2023):
“Nose: Sherry-forward with notes of sandalwood and cigar boxes, but also slivers of caramelised red apples, hazelnuts, decaying leaves and a good amount of oak... A very solid showing, Waterproof Blended Malt Scotch Whisky is affordable and offers value. The apparent sherry influence will likely appeal to a broad audience.”
OCD Whisky (a more critical review of an early batch):
“The nose is quite inviting, the palate delivers flavour but the finish is just a little too short... The statement reads this is sherry influenced, I’d say it’s sherry dominant.”
Distributor tasting notes:
“The nose is full of grain character, red fruit and cocoa, light fruitcake with cherries and sultanas. On the palate there are rich touches of char bitterness, balanced by sweet cherry and sticky raisin. The finish brings brown sugar, cinnamon heat and lingering malt loaf.”
Nose
Dried fruit, dates, red cherry, and sultana, with cocoa, light fruitcake, hazelnut, and sherry-cask oak.
Palate
Sweet cherry and sticky raisin, balanced by a touch of char bitterness, with toffee, milk chocolate, and soft baking spice.
Finish
Medium length, with brown sugar, cinnamon heat, malt loaf, and dry tannin.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Style | Blended Malt Scotch Whisky |
| ABV / Proof | 45.8% ABV / 91.6 Proof |
| Age | No age statement |
| Casks | First- and second-fill bourbon and sherry casks |
| Bottler | MacDuff International — Scotland |
| Community Ratings | Whiskybase 81.6/100 · Wine-Searcher 86 |
| Style / Identity | A sherried, fruity, everyday-priced blended malt at a stronger-than-usual proof |
| Aromas & Flavors | Dried fruit, red cherry, sultana, cocoa, toffee, malt loaf, cinnamon |
| Bottle Size | 750ml |
Neat or on the rocks — to taste the sherry and dried fruit.
Highball — with soda and a lemon twist.
Rob Roy or Old Fashioned — a sherried, fruit-forward base.
Bottle Size: All bottles are 750ML/700ML unless otherwise noted.
21 and Over: Adult Signature Required
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