Category: Bladnoch

[50.8%・23 Years Old・Distilled in 1966・Bottled in 1989・Dun Eideann Bottling・Cask No. 1636・Single Cask Release]

Nose:

Pleasingly robust aromas of thick old school Sherry sweetness, brown sugar syrup generously poured over creamed Sherry and Vienna almonds, pair with sugar preserved orange slices.

Palate & Finish:

A sauce like texture that coats the tongue, conveying that thick syrupy cask led goodness of vanilla and honey, creamy fudge with milk chocolate and nutmeg arriving momentarily after and drags on for a decent, enjoyable leathery and subtly malty finish.

Thoughts:

All I can say is that this Bladnoch is really puts those god forsaken new releases to their places.

I won’t repeat my thoughts on the modern expressions, and I cannot say for sure that this cask is a representation of Bladnoch of the past, the cask influence is too strong to show any distant character of the distillate.. but nevertheless this is a sublime Sherried whisky, regardless of the era..

☆☆ [Highly Recommended]

P.S. Thank you Aaron and Kennis for sharing the dram.

-Nicholas

[46.7%・15 Years Old・Bottled Circa 2016-2017・Official Bottling・General Release]

Nose:

Cow shed and heavy toffee cream form the pillars of the nose. It has a curious cheese note whilst also being on the oaky side with cookie dough, orange essence oil and walnuts.

Palate & Finish:

Rich chocolate sauce and honey stirred with prune syrup. Tree gum and marzipan as the oak plays a secondary role. On the backend, some wee bitterness inspired by walnuts and coffee ground.

Finishes with hints of over-bitter dark chocolate, rum soaked raisins and mint.

Thoughts:

It almost feels like the distillery is trying to paint over with the Oloroso casks.. but there remains flaws from the base whisky..

The additional notes inspired by the casks are not so great either..

-Nicholas

[49.2%・25 Years Old・Bottled Circa 2016-2017・Official Bottling・General Release]

Nose:

Pungent but quite a rich nose with some wonderful aromas, vanilla and leather to go with honey and beeswax. The nose is layered with hints of green apples, lemon honey, and air dried oak unfolding in time.

Palate & Finish:

Green apple and lemon flavoured bubble gum. Quite an oomph of oak coming through. Some rather spicy Sichuan spices and afterwards the light orchard fruits slide in on a creamy back palate.

The finishing is much more tender, café au lait decorated with a sprinkle of chocolate dust complimenting the toasted cereal and virgin oak tannins.

Thoughts:

The dram is a tad on the oaky side and a bit hot but otherwise it’s quite matured and well done.

✓ [Recommended if you like the style/ distillery]

-Nicholas

[46.7%・NAS・Bottled Circa 2016-2017・Official Bottling・General Release]

Nose:

Butyric acid, funky cheese, milk powder and burnt barley all exacerbated by the cow shed vibe. The red wine finish grants a futile attempt for the apple compote and tobacco notes to neutralise the situation.

Palate & Finish:

Juicy apple vinegar and mixed berry jam. Plenty of ginger spices and pepper with a wine cask creaminess coming through. Some Seville oranges and lemon peels as well.

The ginger and cinnamon spices continue to fare strong in the otherwise muted finish.

Thoughts:

I really cannot enjoy the nose, the palate offers an improvement but alas early wickets have been lost..

-Nicholas