Bladnoch Distiller's Choice

Bladnoch 12 Year Old Sherry Cask Matured - Sheep Label

This sample came to me by my good friend and Bladnoch nut (or is that Blad-nut?) Hershl Berman. One of the slightly older bottlings (there are sheep on the label, which is kind of cool), this 12 year old was fully matured in a sherry cask. The bottle has been open for about 18 months. The colour is a deep gold. On the nose you get rich sherry...

Score 94/100

Bladnoch 2001 10 Year Old Cask #284

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,...

Score 88/100

Bladnoch 1990

Bladnoch was bought by Raymond Armstrong in 1994 and production restarted in 2000 after some years of mothballing and renovation. This Bladnoch 1990 single cask was taken from the inherited stock and was the oldest available official release at the time of bottling. Bladnoch 20 yo 1990 (52,4%, OB 2010, cask #136) Nose: fragrant and light, with...

Score 82/100

Bladnoch 9 Year Old 2001 Lightly Peated

This is an official release from the period when the Armstrong brothers were in charge. Distilled in 2001, bottled in 2011 – so almost as long in the bottle than on the cask. Raymond and Colin clearly felt the contents was more important than the looks, judging by the packaging. Oh, lest I forget, this Bladnoch is ‘lightly peated’. I am curious....

Score 85/100