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Bladnoch 2001 10 Year Old Cask #284

Funky Bladnoch

1 488

@talexanderReview by @talexander

25th Oct 2017

1

Bladnoch 2001 10 Year Old Cask #284
  • Nose
    22
  • Taste
    23
  • Finish
    21
  • Balance
    22
  • Overall
    88

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Distribution of ratings for this: brand user

One day, on November 18th 2001, someone filled sherry butt #284 with lightly peated new make at the Bladnoch distillery. On July 13th 2012 they dumped the butt into bottles, and this is the fine result (thanks to @Nozinan for the sample).

The colour is a very pale straw. Sweet and musty on the nose, with chili dark chocolate, burnt rubber, overripe banana, kumquats and a funky peat quite different from what you'd get on Islay or in the Highlands, I think (unless they bought peated malt from somewhere, which means I'm totally talking out of my ass. Again.) Meaty and thick with rum-raisin and clotted cream. Water seems to increase the alcohol (?) while adding a basket of herbs. Lots of character here.

Sweeter on the palate with grape, honey, marzipan and citrus pith. Tropical fruit. Light oak. Not much funky peat here. With water, more spice and some mouth-pulling tannins. A nice balance of sweetness and richness, very dynamic.

The finish is toasty with a hint of spice and oak. The complexity here really elevates what I was expecting to be a nice light dram (although I am sure I've had this before). You would never think this was 55%. I scored this slightly lower than @Nozinan, but in tribute I stole the picture from his review.

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4 comments

@Nozinan
Nozinan commented

You seem to have more information on this bottling than I do. what do you suppose they did with the new make for 2 days between distillation and casking?

7 years ago 0

@talexander
talexander commented

@Nozinan I think they first consulted with Dr. Bill Lumsden, who advised a quick two-day trip in outer space to study the effects of zero gravity on a Lowland malt. A side effect, of course, was a spontaneous peating due to the close proximity of a meteorite covered in moss that sped past the space station that housed the beautiful, delicate Bladnoch new make. Once this precious liquid fell to earth (pouring straight into the sherry butt), it already had the cosmic qualities inherent in the whisky we've tasted from the bottle.

Or I made a typo. But I like the first story better.

7 years ago 2Who liked this?

@Nozinan
Nozinan commented

@talexander Given the care I know you take with your reviews, I'm more inclined to believe the first story.

7 years ago 2Who liked this?

@BlueNote
BlueNote commented

@talexander I can just see Slim Pickens riding that baby back to earth. Or maybe Bill Lumsden is the real Dr. Strangelove.

7 years ago 1Who liked this?