54°
Distillery : Blair Athol -Highlands
Hogsheads
Independent Bottling
By Signatory Vintage
Limited Edition
Single Malt
Bottled in 2017
Unchillfiltered, Uncoloured, Cask Strength
Totally Unpeated
Blair Athol is a distillery founded in 1798, and acquired by United Distillers, forerunner of Diageo, in 1985. 95% of its production is used for Bell's Blend, the UK's most popular blended whisky. However, there is also an original 12-year-old bottling in the Flora & Fauna range, and a number of independent bottlings, including this one, the result of two casks distilled in 1988 and bottled 29 years and five months later. The maturation is simple, two Hogsheads, which probably previously contained Bourbon, but to which it is possible that staves from Sherry casks were added. All this resulted in a total of 427 bottles.
Let's Taste It :
Herbaceous notes at first, freshly cut grass and angelica, then it becomes farmy, with hay and cereals, melted butter and beeswax. Green apples, white grapes, Conference pears, dried apricots. Floral touches. On the palate, ripe fruit pulp, yellow plum and lime, mirabelles and bananas, perhaps a hint of papaya. Woody notes, very discreet spices. Long, well-crafted finish, not too powerful, dried vanilla, oak bark, cola, milk chocolate, braised chestnuts.
In Short,
A very beautiful, balanced and expressive Blair Athol. The fine quality of the casks gives it lovely ripe fruit on the palate, and an evocative nose, full of wax. This distillery is definitely one to remember. Unfortunately, it's sold out everywhere, but can be found at auction for a not too high price.
Score : 90
To Be Listened While Sipping :
The Weather Station - Neon Signs
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