This is from a sample bottle bought from Master of Malt, the full-sized bottle unfortunately is no longer available. Bladnoch’s current range is still getting up to speed after the new owners restarted production in 2017. They did some unlikely wine finishes, but there now is a new 10 year-old – somewhat overpriced perhaps, but that’s to be expected given the stock shortages.
Nose: The embodiment of fruity elegance, even without water. Summer orchard fruits, heather honey, and a floral quality so unique to Bladnoch.
Palate: Amalfi lemons, grapefruit, apricots, peaches, yet this is no fruit bomb – it has impressive balance and elegance. Water opens this up further, but it doesn’t need much.
Finish: Long, sweet, elegant.
Comments: A charming Lowlander, and a great example of what can happen when a fruity spirit is left alone in refill casks for two decades with no unlikely re-racking or finishing. Beautifully fruity, floral and aromatic. The most obvious parallels among modern whiskies are Balblair and bourbon-matured Glengoyne (like the great 12 year-old single cask they had at the distillery when I visited a few years ago).
Score: 89/100
