Bladnoch 10 Years Old (46.7%, OB, 2020)

• ABV: 46.7%
• Age: 10 Years Old
• Bottling: OB
• Category: Lowland single malt scotch whisky
• Cost: £60
• Origin: Bladnoch distillery
• Vintage: undeclared

What they say

Matured in hand selected ex Bourbon casks for 10 years to impart a sweet, spicy flavour.

Official tasting notes:

• COLOUR Lemon gold
• NOSE Delicate floral with notes of honey and refreshing citrus
• PALATE Parma violets with fresh apples and hints of wood spice
• FINISH Sweet mouth coating leads to a refreshing finish

What I say

Dram #1 from Water of Life Society Tasting 103 Scotch Whisky Regions. Starting of with something soft/subtle and grassy meant that it was a pretty easy guess for a Lowland distillery. I went for the obvious choice of Glenkinchie (or Auchentoshan) having completely skipped Bladnoch. This 10 year old is from old stock and is fully bourbon cask matured. Unusually un-tinkered with (i.e. not re-flavoured in Australian Red Wine casks) so I’m guessing this was some of the better or more consistent old stock they managed to secure generated during the Armstrong’s ownership.

My tasting notes:

• Appearance: White Burgundy (5/20), medium tears and long, fine legs.
• Nose: Grassy, cereal, hay, fruity apple, touch of solventy spirit, vanilla, buttery, unripe pear.
• Taste: Sweet, runny honey, sherbet, lemon zest, fresh apples and pears, vanilla custard.
• Finish: Medium-long, vaporous with toasty oak and vanilla.

Overall

Quite short on the palate and slightly vaporous, quite light and makes a good introductory whisky – fitting the light & grassy Lowland style.

Score 82/100

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