Bladnoch 20 Year Old 1992 Malts of Scotland

Bladnoch is a distillery that has not appeared often on my blog. I have only tried three so far, including the fantastic Bladnoch 21 Year Old 1991 for The Bonding Dram, that I helped select. It is the first time for me, however, to try a Bladnoch that matured on a sherry cask.

Well, after the first whiff, I do not exaclty think of Lowland. This is sturdy stuff, closer to Highland in style if you ask me. Fatty nose on white and yellow fruit, potato skins, baking butter, candy floss and a hint of Turkish Delight. Well spiced. Adding water makes it sweeter and reminds me of creamy candy.

Oily and spicy on the palate. Pears, pineapple and a little lime. The peel, actually. Very waxy indeed. Wonderful oak, just sharp enough to counter the creaminess. Fine balance. Liquorice and white pepper. Quinine, too. Does not need water, but let me add a few drops. That makes it creamier still, but the fruit suffers a tad.

Nice, long finish on licquorice and quinine. Mildly drying.

A nice Bladnoch, that is closer to Rosebank of St Magdalene than it is to the softer Lowlanders such as Auchentoshan or Glenkinchie. Around 100 EUR.

Find where to buy Bladnoch whisky