Bladnoch 10 Year

Few lowland distilleries are still in operation, and besides Auchentoshan and Glenkinchie, I'm not familiar with many other lowland single malts. The renowned Rosebank and St. Magdalene unfortunately won't be revived anytime soon, but this Bladnoch appears to have weathered the storm. Founded in 1817, Bladnoch is Scotland's southernmost distillery and has had numerous ownership changes, with production restarting most recently in 2017. In 2019, Nick Savage joined the distillery as master distiller, having previously worked for William Grant & Sons (Glenfiddich, Balvenie, etc.) and Macallan; his expertise would be crucial in bringing this malt to prominence. The color of this dram is pale straw, much like you'd expect from a 10-year-old whisky aged in bourbon casks. However, neither the packaging nor the bottle indicates anything about natural coloring. The viscosity is high, typical for higher ABV drams, and this one is presented at a very respectable 46.7%. It's non-chill-filtered, which is always a good sign for a malt intended for enthusiasts rather than the general consumer. The aroma is floral, with a hint of sulfur or rubber (like the smell of a new tire). It's not unpleasant, but it's definitely present. Some spicy notes are detected, with black pepper being dominant, complemented by faint vanilla. The palate is delicate, featuring notes of honey, clove, caramel, and more pepper. The finish is medium length, somewhat bitter with vanilla and oak notes, concluding with a touch of citrus. So far, nothing extraordinary, but it's a well-balanced dram. Adding water opens it up, and the character becomes more floral. I initially added just a few drops, but then ended up adding half a teaspoon. I believe it benefits significantly from water. Incidentally, I can see the mist, indicating it is genuinely non-filtered. The finish strangely develops some sunflower seed notes, and the sulfur aroma has now almost entirely vanished. The palate gains some raisin, banana, and hay notes, becoming more complex and sweet. The finish loses its bitterness and becomes long and very pleasant. Overall, this is a solid dram. Well-constructed and presented, but it requires water to achieve its full potential. It's still not exceptionally complex, but considering this is a lowland malt, I think it possesses the typical character and is very enjoyable for the $50 I spent.

Aroma - Faintly grassy vanilla, vanilla frosting, lemon yogurt, lemon curd, very floral Taste - Lightly spicy/warm, grassy vanilla frosting sweet, lemon curd/zest, coconut, glaze on donuts Finish - Lingering grassy vanilla sweet, gentle warmth, creamy texture from coconut cream, light ginger spice, lemon curd Score - 88/100 Final Thoughts - This was rather interesting. It had a distinct grassy, floral, vanilla frosting character throughout that I believe would serve as a good introduction for someone who doesn't typically favor whisky but enjoys desserts. It might also work well in a highball as an approachable drink, being both subtle and flavorful. I can understand why some might find the prominent grassy aspect polarizing, but I personally enjoy it. The subtle lemon zest/curd note persists, bordering on artificial, but it doesn't bother me much. I wouldn't drink this daily, but it feels very spring/summery with bright, refreshing notes. Would I drink it if offered? - Yes Would I specifically order it? - Perhaps Would I buy a bottle? - If priced around $40 USD

Aroma: Initially floral, nutty, and sweet (brown sugar, dates) with a very distinct oak character. Allowing the whisky to breathe in the glass reveals more of the sweet character, with caramel and fruity (white grape, apple) notes emerging. Dilution enhances the sweet characteristics (floral, brown sugar, caramel, grape) while preserving the strong oak note. It nearly feels like you are putting your nose directly into the barrel. Taste: Earthy. Malted barley, hay, grass, and oak are prominent, followed by a mild spice. Towards the end, floral and sweet notes appear (especially caramel, green apple). Dilution brings forth more oak, caramel, and apple notes. Finish: A burst of spice that gently fades into malt and oak character. The oak lingers for a considerable time. Minor alcohol burn. An excellent expression of a single malt for a great price (score increased by +0.25). The young age is not apparent, with strong oak notes present on the nose and palate. The aroma is fantastic, and the taste makes for an easy-to-enjoy drink.

Sampled neat in a Glencairn. Allowed to rest for about 10 minutes before the first taste. Overall, I quite enjoy this flavor profile. It resembles an unpeated Islay that unexpectedly produced a child with a Campbeltown. There's a funk and a hint of smoke on the palate (though I'm uncertain if it's actually peated), and the nose carries a sour, vomit-like funk. The non-chill filtration is noticeable, with a rich, subtle sweetness throughout. It's a good value for a 10-year-old under $50. It was just slightly subdued in all its characteristics; otherwise, I would have given it a higher rating. I suspect this will improve as the bottle is consumed, so my assessment might change. Nose: Immediately, there's a sourness, almost like vomit, reminiscent of Clynelish. Some astringency appears later. Hints of tropical fruits are also present. Palate: The initial sip felt neutral, but it developed into a damp cloth-like, rubbery, and waxy funk. The mid-palate features oak and ginger spice with a subtle hint of smoke on the finish. A gentle sweetness persists throughout. Finish: Oak and light smoke mingle with a return of candle wax. It has a medium length.

Aroma: Damp hay, lemon zest, citrus, and clean malt, with a slight ethanol sharpness and a hint of green tea. *** after adding three teaspoons of water *** Palate: Sweet, soft vanilla, malt sugars, very fresh lemon peel citrus, and grassy notes. It's vibrant yet clean, with only a minor sharp note. This spirit is very malt-forward and focused on the distillate, with the cask contributing without dominating. A mild sourness offers a nice balance to the initial sweetness. Finish: Light oak tannins give way to excellent allspice and nutmeg. Lemon peel reappears, followed by a lingering sweet oak and sugars. A brief burst of cotton candy is present. Conclusion: A highly enjoyable drink. It's straightforward and authentic, with a malt-forward character enhanced by complementary casks. It improves as the bottle opens. Highly recommended.

This fragrant Scotch effectively brings back memories of visiting a pastry shop or even a movie theater. Right from the nose, there's a deep scent of butter, butterscotch, baked custards, and pudding. These aromas lessen slightly on the palate as spices are introduced, but the long finish resolves into a delightful, fruity, and mellow profile (I detected notes of fresh Ambrosia apples and Jasmine tea). Kudos to Bladnoch for crafting this lingering, full-bodied Lowland Scotch. I was initially hesitant about the rather young 10-year age statement, but they absolutely nailed it! NOSE: Butter, caramel custard, butterscotch, vanilla pudding, buttered popcorn, barley, cinnamon apples PALATE: Honey, wood spice, smoke, apples, blueberries FINISH: Grass, melted butter, wheat germ, Ambrosia apples, Jasmine tea Rating: 90/100 Grade: A- Excellent - I want to buy a case.